Fly tipping in the regions

A total of 2,633,518 fly tipping incidents were reported by local authorities in England between April 2006 and March 2007 (1.3 million excluding Liverpool City Council). This was a 5% increase on 2005/2006.

The South West had the lowest number of reported flytipping incidents in 2006/2007 (36,902 or 1% of the national total). Flytipping was highest in the North West (1,411,306 or 54% of the national total), followed by London (588,432 or 22% of the national total).

In terms of the cost of clearing up flytipping incidents, the North West spent the most (£21,731,346), followed by London (£19,785,485). The South West spent the least (£1,964,305).

The North West also had the highest number of prosecutions, with 359 prosecutions taken and 318 successful prosecutions. The South West had the lowest number, with 47 prosecutions taken all of which were successful.

93% of flytipping takes place in predominantly urban authorities where 63% of people in England live3. Once Liverpool City Council data is excluded 88% takes place in predominantly urban authorities.

Flytipping incidents in the English regions 2006 - 2007

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Defra (2007)

Cost of clearing up flytipping incidents in the English regions 2006/2007

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Defra (2007)

Number of prosecutions taken against flytippers in the English regions 2006/2007

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Defra (2007)

Fly tipping incidents in the South West

39 Local authorities in the South West Government Office region (87%) entered a full 12 month’s returns into the Flycapture system between April 2006 and arch 2007 and 42 authorities (93%) made at least 10 regular returns in this period.

A total of 36,902 flytipping incidents were reported by local authorities in the South West between April 2006 and March 2007 - giving an average of 3,075 incidents per month. This was just under a 14% increase on the 32,500 reported in 2005/2006. Flytipping incidents in the region accounted for 1% of the total reported nationally.

Within the South West counties, the Former Avon area reported 8,513 flytipping incidents (24% of the regional total) during April 2006 and March 2007. This was the highest number reported by a county in the region, followed by Devon which recorded 6,722 incidents (18% of the regional total). The lowest number of incidents was recorded in Somerset with 4,102 incidents which was closely followed by Dorset with 4,121 incidents (both accounting for 11% of the regional total).

Clearing up these flytipping incidents cost the region £1,964,305. This costs each local authority in the South West region an average of £163,692 per month. The highest costs were found in the Former Avon area with £439,295 - which also recorded the highest number of incidents.

There were 47 prosecutions taken against flytippers in the South West between April 2006 and March 2007, all of which were successful. Cornwall had the highest number of prosecutions (36), followed by Devon (9) and Dorset (2).

Number of flytipping incidents in the South West counties 2006/2007

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Defra (2007)

Cost of Flytipping incidents in the South West counties 2006/2007

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Defra (2007)

Number of flytipping prosecutions in the South West counties 2006/2007

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Defra (2007)

flytipping incidents according to South West local authority area

Bristol City Council recorded 4,605 flytipping incidents between April 2006 and March 2007, the highest number reported by any local authority in the region and 12% of the South West total. This was followed by Cheltenham with 3,111 incidents or just over 8% of the regional total and Swindon with 2,137 or 6%.

With the exception of the Isles of Scilly, which recorded no flytipping incidents, Weymouth & Portland borough council reported the lowest number of incidents with 128.

The cost of clearing up flytipping corresponded with the total number of incidents reported, with Bristol City facing the highest costs of £230,506 and Cheltenham Borough Council £137,637.

Fly tipping incidents in the South West according to type of waste

Household waste was the most likely type of flytipped waste in the South West between April 2006 and March 2007, with household waste accounting for 37% of all incidents and household bags accounting for 19%.

White goods (7%), construction & demolition waste (6%), other unidentified (6%) and tyres (5%) were also relatively common.

Flytipping incidents in the South West according to type 2006/2007

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Defra (2007)

Fly tipping incidents according to size

The most common size of reported flytipping incidents in the South West were of small van load size, accounting for 12,279 incidents or 33% of the regional total. This was followed by car boot size or less with
10,161 incidents or 27% of the total.

Significant multi loads were relatively uncommon in comparison, accounting for 152 incidents or 0.4% of the regional total.

Flytipping incidents in the South West according to size 2006/2007

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Defra (2007)

Flytipping incidents according to land use

With over 1,600 incidents a month (63%), highways were the most common location for fly tipping incidents. This was significantly higher than any those reported on other land types. The next most common place was on council land, which accounted for under 600 incidents (over 18%).

Agricultural land and watercourse banks were the least likely locations to have flytipped waste. However, Flycapture only collects data on incidents dealt with and investigated by local authorities, which may explain the low numbers on private and agricultural land which are often dealt with by other organisations and private landowners.

Flytipping incidents in the South West according to land use 2006/2007

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Defra (2007)