WIREDGOV

New figures released today show:

• The number of recorded fly-tipping incidents in Wales has fallen to 55,300 incidents in 2008-09, compared to more than 62,513 in 2007-08.
• The estimated cost of clearance of illegally dumped waste reported by local authorities has also fallen. In 2008-09 it was £2.94 million, compared with costs of £3.07 million in 2007-08 and £2.95 million in 2006-07.
• Since 2006-07, the number of prosecutions completed has increased steadily, with 72 prosecutions occurring in 2008-09, the vast majority of which resulted in a fine.

Ms Davidson said:

“It is encouraging to see the progress being made with these statistics. They show our attitude to fly-tipping is changing, with more and more local groups reporting the problem and helping to improve our communities.

“However, we must not become complacent, fly-tipping presents a real threat, not just to the environment but also to the quality of people’s lives. It blights our streets, parks and countryside and we are determined to do all we can to fight it. These figures are a reminder that we all have a role to play to improve our environment. Fly-tipping takes up valuable money and time.”

Through the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act the Welsh Assembly Government has introduced measures to enable local authorities and the Environment Agency Wales to react more effectively to fly tipping. New guidance has been issued on how to create an effective enforcement regime against environment crimes.

The Assembly Government funded ‘Fly-tipping Action Wales’ project, led by Environment Agency Wales is helping deliver our objective of a long term reduction in fly-tipping. The initiative includes business engagement, education, community action, targeted publicity measures and enforcement.  The project has also set up regular regional fly tipping forums to look at best practice.

An Assembly Government specialist has also been made available to councils to help them improve the accurate recording of incidents and we have provided funding for specialist training in enforcement action against fly- tippers.  

We have also invested £12 million in the Tidy Towns programme to tackle issues like fly-tipping at the local community level.

Members of the public can help by reporting any incidents of fly-tipping to their local council or for more serious matters they can contact the Environment Agency's 24 hour pollution incident line on 0800 80 70 60.