Annoyed by Fly-Tipping
The Environment Agency has issued a 24/7 Hotline to try and gain intelligence to combat the illegal dumping of rubbish also known as fly-tipping. If you witness or find fly-tipping or have any information about it you can now report it to the Environment Agency 0800 807060.
Reports should include as many details about the incident and type/amount of waste as possible. Witnesses are vitally important in enabling action to be taken against people who fly-tip waste, so please do not hesitate to report any incident that you witness as soon as possible.
Information that is useful includes the following:
- Time and date of incident;
- Descriptions of:
- person(s) dumping waste;
- vehicle(s) involved, including registration numbers;
- the waste dumped;
- Photographs can also be very useful, but only if it is possible to obtain them safely.
The information you supply in connection to any incident is treated in strictest confidence. Please keep the notes you take even if they are scribbled on the back of an envelope. Actual notes taken at the time can be very valuable as evidence.
Some Do Nots
Do not…
… put yourself in danger by approaching anyone you see dumping waste. Fly-tippers are criminals, who may be involved in other criminal activities. Given that, they are unlikely to respond well to being challenged. If it is possible to observe them safely, the more information you are able to provide, the better the chances of an investigation.
… try to rummage through the waste yourself to look for evidence because there may be hazardous or sharp items hidden among the waste.