Taking action on fly tipping

Our Environmental Enforcement Team’s role is diverse and includes the investigation of fly tips. 

Tim, one of our Environmental Protection Officers, says:

“Investigations have been extremely challenging during the pandemic, but we have had some success in catching fly tippers.” 

If the culprits are found, enforcement action is taken, with sanctions ranging from formal warnings to prosecution. 

“In October 2020, an offence in Claydon Drive, Beddington was reported. Fortunately the witness had recorded the registration number of the offending vehicle, which enquiries revealed was a hire car. The hire company was contacted and the driver was eventually identified and interviewed. He accepted responsibility for the fly tipping and a £400 fixed penalty notice was issued.”

By the end of 2020, fixed penalty notices had been issued for flytips in Butter Hill, Wallington; Homeland Drive, South Sutton; Orchard Avenue, Beddington; and Papermill Close, Carshalton. Legal proceedings had also been taken against 14 individuals for non-payment of fixed penalties. They all received fines of £220, a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £190. 

The Council has also been working hard to raise awareness about what fly tipping is, how to report it and what we’re doing about it through the Let’s SCRAP IT campaign. 

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This is one of hundreds of services we provide in Sutton. But we are facing a big challenge. More than 70% of our budget goes towards caring for Sutton’s vulnerable adults and children. Following COVID-19, more people are needing our help, while the cost of services is increasing.

Find out how we plan to protect those needing our care and support Sutton’s recovery over the next 12 months.

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