Fly tips cleared using PCC fund

In the past year landowners across Hertfordshire have had fly tipped rubbish cleared-up for free using money from a Fly Tipping Fund.

In addition, several locations which have also benefited from match funding to implement target hardening measures including high visibility signs and installation of security gates.

The funding has come from the scheme run by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire.

Over 10 fly tips have been removed since 2021 with approximately £6000 of funding paying for the clearances.  This included land used to grow crops and keep livestock as well as private roads in urban areas.

Rubbish removed includes various white goods, household waste, black bags, garden waste and demolition materials.

The landowners, who are primarily farmers, will also have been offered a Crime Prevention Assessment by a member of the Constabulary Rural Support Team.  These assessments have led to the implementation of various target hardening measures using approximately £4000 of fly tipping funding since 2021.

In all fly tips cases, representatives of the local council or Constabulary investigate the waste for clues to those responsible and collect any evidence which could be used in a prosecution. Those organisations or individuals found responsible for fly tipping face criminal charges and fines.

Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd said: “Fly tipping is one of the crimes I hear most from the public.  It blights our communities and causes substantial cost to innocent people, poses a danger to road users, livestock, and wildlife.”

“The fund was set up as I believe it is not right that businesses who are the victim of fly tipping are liable to pick up the considerable costs involved.  Furthermore, I have been more than willing to contribute to target hardening measures identified by the Constabulary Rural Support Team to stop future tips happening.”

Private landowners are also eligible for the funding and will have to prove they already have a waste disposal contract in place with an authorised collection firm. 

The scheme is part of the county wide multi-agency and multi-channel campaign being run by the Herts Fly Tipping Group.

Anyone interested in making a claim or finding out more information can contact their district or borough council and mention the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Fly Tipping Fund.  All contact details are available the PCC website https://www.hertscommissioner.org/listening-and-responding/funding/fly-tipping-fund/