Waste crime is not a new issue, but the threat is evolving and our response needs to move up a gear.
Ever since Tory West Sussex County Council instituted the booking system some time ago at the county’s amenity tips, the figures for fly-tipping across Crawley immediately surged. I believe this isn’t coincidental.
The borough suffered a record 1,906 fly‑tipping incidents reported in the last 12 months, with the council now spending £1.3 million of taxpayers’ money annually clearing illegally dumped waste. It is unfair law abiding residents have to pay for the actions of a selfish minority.
I am acutely aware that this is an important issue for local residents, who value keeping Crawley a clean and safe place for everyone. Fly-tipping is a scourge on our community and we are committed to protecting our natural environment.
That’s why it was so satisfying to join Cabinet Members Yasmin Khan and Nick Hilton recently to launch Crawley’s new team of Environmental Enforcement Officers, clearly identifiable in their dark green uniforms and authorised to issue fixed penalty notices to those committing environmental offences.
The enforcement activity supports increased penalties already in place. Fines for fly-tipping rose to £1,000 from September, up from £400, while anyone caught deliberately dropping litter can now receive a £150 fine.
It is particularly appropriate that we are pledging this decisive new local initiative, as the Government announces a fly-tipping crackdown on waste crime, unveiling a sweeping package of other measures against those who want to flout our laws and leave their rubbish in our community. This could see offenders committing waste crime ordered to complete up to 20 hours of unpaid work cleaning streets and parks as part of new clean-up squads and required to repay the cost of clearing the waste illegally dumped.
Courts will be given the power to award penalty points on driving licences for fly-tipping offences, with the most serious cases losing their licence altogether, making it harder for repeat offenders to continue dumping illegally.
Under Government measures our enforcement officers will be given new police-style powers to bring offenders to justice. Operators handling waste illegally will be shut down by the Environment Agency.
These measures will ensure we stay one step ahead of waste criminals and protect the communities, businesses and environment that they blight. The criminal networks behind it are causing serious harm, undercutting legitimate businesses and depriving the public purse of millions in lost tax revenue.
Residents are encouraged to continue playing their part by disposing of waste responsibly, using licensed waste carriers, and reporting fly‑tipping or littering incidents through mycrawley.gov.uk
Cllr Michael Jones
Leader Crawley Borough Council