Council offering £500 rewards for fly-tip tip-offs
Paul Coates
Witnesses of fly-tipping incidents could receive up to £500 through East Hampshire District Council’s new Fly Tip Witness Reward Scheme if their tip-off leads to formal enforcement.
There were 945 recorded fly-tipping incidents in the district from April to December last year, with more than 15 tons of waste - including asbestos - tipped in a lay-by near Alton last September, costing the council more than £20,000 to clear.
The council said the rural nature of the district meant fly-tipping often took place in remote locations at night, but felt residents might witness something that could help its investigations.
Fly-tips are investigated where evidence can be found and the council will prosecute fly-tippers and residents who do not ensure their waste is disposed of responsibly.
Cllr Tony Costigan, the neighbourhood quality portfolio holder, said: “Fly-tipping is a perpetual problem in the district, with an average of more than one reported each day.
“We are taking a two-pronged approach to tackling the problem - reducing supply to fly-tippers by encouraging residents to get legitimate waste businesses to take their rubbish away, and doing what we can to investigate and prosecute criminal fly-tippers operating in the district.
“This reward scheme will contribute to making East Hampshire a no-go zone for fly-tippers.”
Rural areas are particularly at risk from fly-tipping, threatening wildlife and the countryside.
Cabinet member Cllr Nick Drew, the ward councillor for Froxfield, Sheet and Steep, said: "It is very disappointing that people come to enjoy the South Downs National Park, and the beautiful landscapes that it offers, and decide to pollute it with their rubbish.
“Many people I speak to feel more should be done, and this reward scheme will help us do that."
Anyone with rubbish to dispose of should book a trip to a household waste recycling centre, or contact an approved waste carrier.
They will issue a waste transfer note as a receipt to show who took it, so if it is fly-tipped its owner can show they did everything they could to ensure it was disposed of correctly.
The council also offers a bulky waste collection service.
Anyone who finds a fly-tip blocking a road should call Hampshire County Council on 0300 555 1388 from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, or 999 outside those hours. People who see fly-tipping in progress should call 999.
A council spokesperson said: “Please be aware that fly-tips can contain dangerous and hazardous materials, so for your own safety we ask you not to touch any tip you may find.