‘We are one of the most efficient councils in tackling flytipping!’ Boston Borough celebrates 10% drop in offences

A council is celebrating a 10% decrease in flytipping - but wants the Government to take the offence ‘more seriously’.

Boston Borough Council has welcomed the drop in the dumping of waste within its boundaries.

In the first quarter of last year, 1,439 fly-tipping incidents were reported in the borough.

This year, the same period has seen a 10.63% decrease, approximately 140 incidents, following a series of strategic initiatives.

BBC highlighted increasing fine levels to meet national limits, installing new CCTV systems, conducting more targeted patrols, relocating litter bins and implementing an identifiable waste scheme, plus a recent education scheme, among the reasons for the reduction.

"We are one of the most efficient councils in tackling flytipping, and this achievement is a testament to our committed team and community partners,” said Coun Callum Butler, who highlighted the council's efficiency in clearing waste, thanking the dedicated crews and partners for their hard work.

“In the past 12 months, the council’s enforcement team has issued 237 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for flytipping.

“We will continue to advocate for central government to take flytipping more seriously nationwide, ensuring our efforts contribute to a cleaner, safer environment for all.”

Keen to cut back on further flytipping, the authority announced it was launching a community skip scheme for residents to dispose of larger items last week.

Sadly, some offenders continue to dump their waste, with one recently leaving bags of insulation in a Frampton layby, right behind a CCTV camera.

The council’s current enforcement contract is under review to ensure it continues to deliver value and effective outcomes for residents.

With support from a DEFRA grant, the authority has enhanced its CCTV coverage and hired education officers to manage a comprehensive education programme.

This programme focuses on engaging with residents, landlords, and letting agents to promote proper waste management practices, including waste segregation and recycling processes.

Information is provided in multiple languages and through pictorial imagery to ensure accessibility.

The initiative also involves working closely with households that struggle to manage their waste and recycling correctly, which significantly contributes to the fly-tipping problem.

Furthermore, enviro-crime enforcement officers are deployed as both a deterrent and enforcement measure.