What Is Fly Tipping?

Fly-tipping, fly dumping or illegal dumping are other names that refer to the dumping of waste illegally. It is only legal to dispose of household or business waste in authorized rubbish dumps which may require a payment to do so, especially for business users.

Businesses are required under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to make arrangements for their own waste collection and disposal through private contractors.  Householders have been given a duty to dispose of waste properly since 21st November 2005 which has made fly-tipping more of a problem.

fly tipping

The unsightly dumping in any open space available is on the increase in certain areas, with waste such as green waste, domestic items, abandoned vehicles and construction waste most of which could be dangerous, toxic or hazardous, as these 2012 statistics reflect.

  • 732,052 fly-tipping incidents on public land
  • 9.1% fall compared to previous year (805,320)
  • 191 councils (60%) fell
  • 120 councils (38%) increased
  • 1 council unchanged and 4 councils did not reply
  • £33m spent by councils on fly-tipping clearance
  • 0.6% of fly-tipping incidents were successfully prosecuted

Unfortunately, it is the responsibility of the owner or occupier of the land where the rubbish has been dumped to arrange for its collection and disposal by a registered and authorized waste carrier. The council have the right to enforce removal if the waste is escaping onto other land, harboring food for mice and rats or polluting water or land. It is therefore important to put preventative measures in place on their land which the council and private investigators can offer help and advice.

How Can A Private Detective Help?

Private detectives, along with local councils, offer their services in prevention of fly-tipping and in catching or obtaining evidence of serial fly-tippers in the act. It is possible to set up remote outdoor covert CCTV cameras in areas that have been prone to fly-tipping in the past. These cameras have motion sensors that will pick up any movement within its range and start to record. The footage can be watched on a PC or television screen in real time or at a convenient time. Vehicle registrations and sometimes vehicle signs with the fly-tippers contact details on them can be given straight to the police.

Fines for large companies who have committed a serious act of environmental damage can be as much as £2m but small companies would face fines of between £450 and £2000 for small offences and then rising to £70,000 for causing serious harm. In very extreme cases or cases were the offender has repeatedly fly-tipped there could be a custodial sentence could be given.

Another possible way to catch a suspected fly-tipper is to use a private investigator to investigate a suspicious company such as waste removal businesses, building contractors, garden contractors or car repair garage to name but a few. The company employees can be followed to see if they are dumping illegal and toxic waste. Detectives can follow the targets for many hours to see if they are filling their van with waste and if so how they are disposing of it. Photographic and video footage can be provided along with a report to use as evidence to prosecute the offenders.

 

 

img source  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cleanercroydon/5499645080/

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