South Holland District Council reporting a ‘significant’ 13% drop in number of fly-tipping incidents

Council bosses say that a ‘significant’ decrease in fly-tipping is down to a controversial enforcement scheme and raised public awareness.

South Holland District Council are reporting a 13% drop in the number of fly-tipping incidents reported over the the last 12 months.

The authority says that the contract with Kingdom - which aims to crack down on enviro-crime using overt CCTV and foot patrols - has played a ‘crucial’ role in the falling figures.

Coun Anthony Casson, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection, said: "This fantastic reduction in fly-tipping proves that our enforcement measures and public awareness campaigns are making a real difference.

“However, this success wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of our local residents and others who take pride in their communities. Thank you to everyone."

The latest figures reveal that fly-tipping incidents fell from 2,732 cases in 2023 to 2,402 in 2024 - which the authority describes as ‘significant’ in a press release.

Crowland and Deeping St Nicholas have seen a 51% reduction, according to the authority, while incidents are down by 33% in Pinchbeck and Surfleet.

Numbers are down by 25% in Spalding St Mary’s ward - where residents had previously called for action in Ayscough Avenue and Sough Avenue after issues with dumped fridges, wardrobes and other junk.

A council statement said: “The Kingdom enforcement team has played a crucial role in this decline by patrolling the district, raising awareness about responsible waste disposal, and issuing Fixed Penalty Notices to offenders. Additionally, the council’s communications campaign has helped educate residents on the consequences of fly-tipping and the proper ways to dispose of waste.

“South Holland District Council extends a huge thank you to the local volunteers and residents who continue to report fly-tipping and support clean-up efforts.”

Kingdom was brought in by the council in 2023 to tackle the blight of fly-tipping, littering and other enviro-crimes on a ‘cost-free basis’, funded by the fines. People receiving tickets do not have an appeal process.

The scheme has courted controversy with community figureheads arguing Kingdom have prioritised quick-cash minor offences such as littering instead of cracking down on crimes such as fly-tipping.

Figures released by SHDC following a freedom of information act request show the authority earned just £7,041.50 - less than £20 per day - from the first year of its partnership with Kingdom, running from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.

The authority receives 10% of the money earned in fines by Kingdom.

In the first 12 months of the collaboration, a total of 1,162 fines - an average of three per day - have been served.

Volunteer litter pickers, Spalding Wombles, said they felt ‘let down’ by the council and were ‘fed up’ repeatedly cleaning the same grot spots only for them to fill up again

The council is asking for fly-tipping incidents to reported via www.sholland.gov.uk/reportit

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