Even before the pandemic, fly-tipping has been an issue around the UK, with an increasing number of incidents along highways and private properties. After health and safety restrictions took hold, the problem only got worse.
There had been a large surge in fly-tipping incidents across the country after the temporary closure of several tips. The scaling back of operations of recycling sites and kerbside collection also did not help. Total incidents involving household waste were 737,000 in 2020/21, an increase of 16% from 635,000 incidents in 2019/20 according to Gov.UK.
To combat this fly-tipping epidemic, everyone must pitch in. This article will discuss what steps you can take to help curb this growing problem.
Stay Vigilant
Fly-tipping is considered a serious offence. Parties caught participating in fly-tipping practices can face fines and even jail time. Even property owners who pass their waste to unlicensed carriers can be penalised with fines of up to £400, according to the House of Commons.
With these penalties at stake, it’s important to stay vigilant against any act of fly-tipping. If you witness such practices, you have a responsibility to report them to the authorities. You can use reach out to your local council or access this Government resource to point you in the right direction. You can also get in touch with Crimestoppers to report fly-tipping anonymously.
As mentioned earlier, it is also important to steer clear of shady entities that introduce themselves as waste carriers. There have been several cases of unlicensed and illegal waste companies going as far as hiring outbuildings to dump their waste. They also often leave landowners to deal with the rubbish afterwards.
Stay alert and look out for fly-tipping practices. Report these practices to the proper authorities when you do encounter them.
Bolster Security
Another effective way to decrease the number of fly-tipping incidents is to bolster your property’s security. This can best be achieved through a combination of known solutions including the following:
CCTV – Installing cameras to monitor your property is an effective deterrent for several illegal activities, including fly-tipping. Aside from providing the means to identify and catch fly-tippers, the mere presence of the cameras can already be enough to prevent most cases.
Alarm System – A comprehensive security and alarm system will also protect your property from a variety of unwanted practices. They are also a quick and decisive way to alert authorities when these practices do occur.
Concrete Blocks and Bollards – Unmanned properties located in remote areas are a common target for fly-tippers. Installing fixtures like concrete blocks and bollards limit access to these properties, which also reduces the likelihood of vehicles pulling up and dumping waste.
Regular Inspections – Even with other security measures, it’s important that regular inspections are done on properties, especially if these properties have been vacant for long periods. You can perform these inspections yourself or you can work with security companies.
Conclusion
Fly-tipping is a growing problem that needs to be dealt with by everyone. Staying vigilant and bolstering security are the two main actions you can take to do your part in curbing the number of fly-tipping cases.
For more information on preventing fly-tipping and other similar illegal activities on your property, call us at 0844 544 4804 or visit our contact page. MS Webb provides a variety of security services including CCTV and alarm system installation and management, concrete bollard installation, and bailiff services. We can also perform site clean-ups and waste removal on your property.