Date: 18 October 2007 18:03

Councils in CAMBRIDGESHIRE and Peterborough ENFORCE FLY-TIPPING LAW

Figures just released show that reported fly-tipping incidents across the UK 
are up by 5%, but that councils are taking more action against fly-tippers.

In Cambridgeshire and Peterborough alone nearly 17,000 incidents were 
reported last year, costing the councils over £888,000 to clear up - 
according to DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

To combat fly-tipping, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Waste Partnership 
has set up a group consisting of enforcement officers, the Environment 
Agency and the police, to help coordinate action against fly-tipping and 
littering.

In the 12 months to August 2007 there were a total of 2782 investigations at 
a cost of £91,806.  Nearly 1000 warning letters were sent, over 2,000 
statutory notices, and 128 fixed penalty notices were issued throughout the
county, costing £111,507.

Anyone found guilty of fly-tipping can be fined up to £50,000 and/or 
sentenced to 5 years in prison. Anyone witnessing a fly-tipping incident 
should report it immediately to their local council - see contact details 
below. The following guidelines should also be noted:

* Do not touch the waste, as there could be dangerous items such as broken 
glass.
* Do not disturb the waste as there may be evidence that could help lead to 
the prosecution of offenders.
* Record as much detail as possible including time, place, vehicle details 
and the nature of the material dumped.

Large scale incidents can also be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 
807060.

Edward Cowley, Environment Action Coordinator, said: "There is no need for 
fly-tipping, as the City and District Councils provide a service for the 
collection of bulky items to all households. In some case this is free, in 
others there will be a minimal charge for collection. Items can also be 
taken to any of the Household Waste Recycling Centres in the county and 
Peterborough, where they will be accepted free of charge.

"The RECAP partnership is working together to combat the blight of 
fly-tipping in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Fly-tipping looks unsightly 
and can damage inward investment into an area. Uncontrolled waste disposal 
can present a hazard to the public such as drums of toxic waste, asbestos 
sheeting, syringes and used drugs."

RECAP is a Waste Partnership between Cambridgeshire and Peterborough that 
works with all authorities.  It has broadened its remit to include 
environmental crime.

"Rubbish is dumped illegally somewhere in Britain every 35 seconds.  There 
is absolutely no need to dump items - this is illegal and also an 
environmental risk and a real danger to children's safety,"he added.

To report a fly-tipping incident contact:

01223 458282 (Cambridge City), 0800 389 6613 Huntingdonshire) or 0845 650 
0280 (South Cambs).

John Reynolds