Campaigners are calling for more to be done as figures reveal fly-tipping is on the rise in Dorset.
Data from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) show there has been a 5.3% increase in fly-tipping across the county.
A total of 1,659 incidents were reported to Dorset Council between April 2022 and March 2023 - compared to 1,575 in the previous year.
However, there was only one prosecution for fly-tipping in this period, whilst 328 actions were taken against perpetrators.
READ: Truck wanted for fly-tipping seized by Dorset Police
A total of 113 warning letters and 23 fixed penalty notices were issued to offenders.
The one case that did go to court saw a fine of £992 handed out.
However, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents farmers and rural landowners in Dorset, believes these figures don’t even ‘scratch the surface’.
READ: Police and Crime Commissioners call for larger fly-tipping fines
It says that two-thirds of all farmers and landowners have at some stage been a victim of fly-tipping, resulting in thousands of offences going unrecorded, as farmers often have so little faith in the ability of the police or council to deal with fly-tipping that they simply bear the cost of removing rubbish themselves.
CLA south west regional director, Ann Maidment, said “Fly-tipping is a crime that’s blighting rural communities, with incidents on private land going unrecorded on a mass scale.
“Many councils across the region may be cracking down on it but these latest figures do not reflect the true scale of the issue.
READ: Fly-tipper dumped soil and green waste at former hotel near Bridport
“Far too often farmers and landowners bear the cost of removing rubbish, and on average they pay £1,000 to remove the waste.
“Fly-tipping is not a victimless crime - in some cases they have paid up to £100,000 to clear up other people’s mess or risk facing prosecution themselves.
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“It’s not just litter blotting the landscape, but tonnes of household and commercial waste which can often be hazardous – even including asbestos and chemicals – endangering farmers, wildlife, livestock, crops and the environment.”
Dorset Council is tackling the issue and is using several tools to help combat the problem.
It recently secured funding through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, and combined with Proceeds of Crime Act funds, it will be recruiting an additional fly-tip investigations officer.
It has also deployed new signage at fly-tipping spots to appeal for information and is working closely with local partners such as the Environment Agency and Dorset Police.
A new anti-fly tipping campaign is also being developed for the spring.
READ: New tip rules 'will cost Dorset Council £500,000 a year'
A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: “Our Waste Enforcement officers can only investigate fly tipping incidents where there is evidence available.
“Of those fly tips where evidence was found, the majority were subsequently followed up with action, from informal advice and written warnings, through to fines and prosecution. We will also investigate incidents on private land when reported to us by the landowner.
“Fly-tipping is a blight on our county, a drain on taxpayers’ money and we all need to work together to tackle it.
"We will always pursue all avenues to hold offenders to account, so please report fly-tips to us when you spot them and check out www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/scrap for more information on how to make sure you are covered when handing waste to someone else.”
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