Report a fly-tipper hotline starts

A new hotline for reporting fly-tippers has been launched by the council in a bid to catch more of the criminals.

Residents will be able to call the number – 01273 295063 – and give details of a fly-tip crime, allowing our staff to respond immediately.

Since lockdown our enforcement officers have issued 90 fines for fly-tipping, totalling more than £35,000. Each fine is £400. 

But with fly-tipping on the rise, the council hopes the new phone line will help clampdown further on those who illegally dump their rubbish and waste on the street or public land.

Common examples of fly-tipping include:

• leaving household items, appliances and furniture on the street or beside communal bins
• leaving items on the pavement in the hope others will take them away
• dumping rubbish or building materials in the countryside or green spaces such as parks

'Fly-tipping - a horrible and needless crime'

Councillor Anne Pissaridou, chair of the council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee, said: “We hope residents will use the new hotline and join us in our battle against fly-tippers.

“It’s a horrible and needless crime as it harms the environment and costs the council, therefore council taxpayers, money.

“It’s carried out by people who don’t care about the damage they’re doing or the mess they’re creating. 

“They know they’re doing wrong because they hardly ever dump their rubbish or waste in broad daylight or in view of people.”

'We'll now catch even more fly-tippers'

Councillor Pissaridou added: “The number of fines we’ve handed out recently shows we do catch these people and we will continue to do so, even more now as we’ve made reporting easier.”

Previously, people wanting to report fly-tippers had to fill in an online form. 

But now they can also use the new phone line, which will be staffed from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday, allowing enforcement officers to take swifter action, and possibly even catch the perpetrators in the act.

Callers outside these hours will be able to leave a message with details of where and when the fly-tip took place. 

The new number will be for reporting fly-tipping issues only, with the phone line operator not being able to discuss any other council issues.