Havering flytipping cases up by hundreds, meeting told

Councillor Barry Mugglestone, cabinet member for environment, informed full council on March 22 that flytipping cases went up by 353 between April 2022 and March 2023 compared to the previous 12 months.

More than 10,000 cases of flytipping were reported during the period and 639 fixed penalty notices issued for waste-related offences.

Read More: Council worker cleared of fly-tipping allegations by internal investigation

Cllr Mugglestone explained steps that the council is taking to reduce flytipping and said: “The council street cleansing crews proactively monitor and clear flytip waste while carrying out their normal duties.

"The council’s new waste and cleansing contractor are proposing to install new up-to-date technology and recording systems to improve reporting and clearing of flytips."

Conservative councillor Joshua Chapman, from St Edwards ward, further questioned about what innovations were being made to drive down flytipping.

He said: “This is a matter that is of great importance to our residents, and I am really interested in knowing where the cabinet member wants to go next beyond the contract."

Cllr Mugglestone claimed that business-related flytips would specifically be tracked and penalised.

He said: “One of the things is to find people… find out who are carrying out these flytips. Find out if they are running a business for it… and once we find out if its business-related flytips we need to penalise them."

CCTV cameras that offer more mobility would also be used to monitor flytippers, Cllr Mugglestone added.

He further encouraged residents to ensure that they are giving away their waste to licensed organisations only and to report any flytip instances they see.

On its website, the council says it prosecutes those responsible for dumping rubbish "where possible".

To find out more on how to report cases of flytipping in Havering, people can visit havering.gov.uk/info/20013/environment/126/keeping_havering_clean.