Police and partners take a stand against fly-tipping scourge

A fly-tipping event was held in Dartmouth earlier this month, organised by Devon & Cornwall Police’s Rural Affairs team and supported by South Hams District Council and Clean Devon in a bid to educate the local community about responsible waste disposal.

On Thursday 12 February, the teams set up a staged fly-tip on the embankment, using a series of household items dumped in the local area, which included a mattress, a sofa and several drawers.

This tip event was organised following the success of similar events held across Devon and Cornwall over the past nine months and created an opportunity for the organisations to speak with dog walkers, runners and passers-by about the implications of fly-tipping and to promote methods of reporting.

Rural Affairs Officer PC Clarke Orchard said, “Fly-tipping can have huge impacts on the environment; affecting waterways, wildlife and the wider community, and we know that it is a growing concern for people living in rural areas.

“Farmers in particular often face significant emotional and financial stress as a result of waste dumped illegally on their land, which can affect livestock, harvests, deliveries and daily operations.

“To address this, we've built strong relationships with partner organisations and have carried out several community engagement events to raise awareness about the implications of fly-tipping.

“The staged fly-tip is an innovative way to demonstrate what illegal waste dumping looks like and allows us to have constructive conversations with members of the local community about the importance of reporting fly-tipping.”

Fly-tipping is estimated to cost the UK £1 billion every year and is often linked to organised crime.

People found guilty of fly-tipping can receive significant fines in magistrates’ courts and unlimited fines in higher courts, as well as community punishment orders or prison sentences of up to five years.

PC Orchard added: “We know that people may not always know how to report fly-tipping or who to report it to.

“To put it simply, anyone with information relating to the identities of people responsible for fly-tipping should contact their local authority.

“For large-scale waste dumping, please contact the Environment Agency.

“If waste is causing an obstruction on a road or a fly-tipping crime is in progress, it would be considered a police matter. In these instances, please call 999.”

If you’re paying a waste carrier to dispose of waste on your behalf, make sure the company has the appropriate licences by visiting this page on the Environment Agency website.

South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Waste and Recycling, Cllr Julian Brazil, said: “This event was an important chance for us to show, in a very visible way, the harm that fly‑tipping causes in our communities. By recreating the sort of waste, we sadly see far too often, we were able to talk directly with residents about the real impacts on our countryside, and our local wildlife.

“It also helped us raise awareness of how straightforward it is to report fly‑tipping, because knowing who to contact can make all the difference. If people witness fly‑tipping or have information about those responsible, they should report it to the Council straight away. For larger‑scale dumping, the Environment Agency is the right place to go, and if waste is blocking a road or a crime is happening at the time, they must call 999.

“The sooner incidents are reported, the quicker we can act. Together, we can protect the South Hams and keep our district clean and safe for everyone.”

In 2024, almost 5000 incidents of fly-tipping were reported to district councils in Devon – an increase of 11% from the previous year.

Principal Waste Manager at Clean Devon, Annete Dentith, concluded, “The Clean Devon Partnership, comprising landowners, local authorities, and enforcement agencies is working to target this damaging and costly environmental crime.

“By collaborating, we are aiming to align policies, share intelligence, implement surveillance and advise the public at face to face at events such as this. Together we can beat fly tipping.

“Aswell as reporting fly tipping, you can help by checking who you pay to take your rubbish away.

“Did you know that in addition to the serious harms caused, if your waste is found fly tipped, you are still responsible and can face unlimited fines? Our advice is to always avoid social media adverts, cash-in-hand, or doorstep cold callers offering to take your rubbish; check that the person taking your waste is a registered ‘waste carrier’ via the GOV.UK Public Register; ask and record where your rubbish will be taken; ask for a receipt to include contact details and the vehicle registration.”

South Hams District Council is responsible for the removal of fly-tipping from council-owned property, Devon County Council highways, roads, pavements and lay-bys. It is the responsibility of landowners to remove fly-tipping from private property. Reports can be made via the South Hams District Council website: www.southhams.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling/fly-tipping

Anyone who suspects waste crime activity should report it to the Environment Agency, in confidence, on the 24-hour hotline: 0800 807 060.