Thousands of fly-tipping incidents in South Kesteven, but only one prosecution
Figures obtained via Freedom of Information requests have revealed that despite incidents of fly-tipping almost tripling over the past three years in South Kesteven, there has been only one prosecution.
The data reveals that in the year 2012/13 there were 386 incidents of fly-tipping recorded by SKDC, and one prosecution.
Despite fly-tipping incidents in the district rising to 807 in 2013/14 and then to 1,061 in 2014/15, there have been no prosecutions at all during the past two years.
Local authorities from across the country have been asked to provide statistics on fly-tipping, showing that although many are seeing hundreds and even thousands of incidents every year, the number of prosecutions remains largely in single figures.
North Kesteven is one of the few local authorities who have prosecuted more people for fly-tipping year on year, rising from two prosecutions out of 879 incidents in 2012/13, four out of 1,056 in 2013/14 and sixteen out of 962 in 2014/15.
The scale of the problem was highlighted in a report by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which detailed how across the country local authorities dealt with a total of 852,000 incidents of fly-tipping in 2013/14, at an estimated clearance cost of £45.2 million.
According to the report highways were the most common place for fly-tipping to occur, comprising 47 per cent of the incidents recorded in 2013/14.
Fly-tipping on footpaths, bridleways and back alleyways increased by 15 percent and accounted for 29 per cent of all incidents.
This week a resident contacted the Journal to report that they had repeatedly seen a resident fly-tipping into Barrowby Gate lagoon.
They said: “This particular chap is continually throwing garden waste into the lagoon. I have been to the council and to a community police officer, but nothing has been done. It’s been going on all summer. I pay my taxes but nothing gets done.”
An SKDC spokesperson said: “We inform residents in South Kesteven about their responsibility to not fly-tip and to use reputable licensed waste collectors who will show their license documents before any work is carried out.
“Our proactive campaign with the Journal has been a great success in reiterating these messages and has increased the number of reported incidents. This has been backed up with our investment in CCTV at fly tipping hotspots to deter incidents in these locations.
“The “Hate Litter, Love Grantham” campaign which has included radio adverts has increased awareness.
“We will pursue prosecution where there is evidence of who has committed the offence.
“We want to reiterate that where incidents are reported, we will clean it up as evidence shows that the cleaner an area is kept, the less likely littering will occur. “
SKDC were asked to provide details on the costs of clearing fly-tipping in the district, but added that they do not have a specific breakdown for fly-tipping in their accounts for Streetcare Services.
