FINES paid by fly-tippers will be used to clean the mess they make under new rules coming into force tomorrow.
Criminal gangs that blight communities by dumping waste illegally and individuals guilty of littering will contribute directly to keeping neighbourhoods tidy, as part of the Government’s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan.
Money raised from fines will be ring-fenced for use in clean-up operations or to prevent future offences, for example by recruiting more enforcement officers.
Councils dealt with 1.08 million fly-tipping incidents and issued 69,000 fixed penalty notices last year, when the maximum fine was increased to £1,000.
Recycling Minister Robbie Moore said: “Litter louts and career waste criminals need to know we are cracking down hard. Their inexcusable crimes spoil communities, create dangers for children and threaten wildlife.
“We’ve already increased the maximum fines for these damaging crimes and now money raised from bringing them to justice will ensure more enforcement and help to clear up their sickening mess.”
Local authorities have also been given new powers to tackle fly-tipping including the ability to stop, search, and seize vehicles. Funding of £1.2 million for measures such as CCTV cameras was provided with a further £1m to be awarded in the spring.
Country Land and Business Association President Victoria Vyvyan said: “We welcome these regulations that ringfence receipts for enforcement and clean-up operations, and urge local authorities to use the revenue to help clear up waste dumped on public and farm land, and clamp down hard on offenders.
“With one million incidents on public land alone last year, fly-tipping blights communities and the landscape, damaging the environment, risking public health and costing taxpayers thousands to clear up.
“As well as incidents on public land, farmers are also victims of fly-tipping and have to pay to have dumped waste removed from their land, only adding to the injustice. Therefore fixed penalty notice receipts must be used to help clear up incidents on both public and private land.”
