As new reports pinpoint the links between fly-tipping and organised crime, Hampshire County Council reinforces its commitment to protect Hampshire.

Councillor Rob Humby, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment at Hampshire County Council said: “These reports serve to highlight the extent of the criminal activity across the country which can be devastating to our countryside.

“In Hampshire, we’ve established an effective collaboration with all our partner organisations involved in tackling fly-tipping, which is driving down the number of incidents on public land, encouraging people to report this criminal activity, and increasing prosecutions. Our partners include the National Farmers Union and the Countryside Landowners Association who are urging their members to report fly-tipping on private land to local authorities so we can get a full picture of the scale of the problem and assist them in dealing with the issue.

“Our focus has been on ensuring that those committing fly-tipping crimes are vigorously pursued, while at the same time highlighting how important it is for residents and business owners thinking of using a third party for any clearance work to check that this party has a waste carriers licence issued by the Environment Agency .

“I want to emphasise that, in Hampshire, we have made it as easy as possible for people to dispose of waste responsibly, legally and conveniently. The majority of household waste can be taken for free to any one of the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) sites by householders in our large network. The only materials charged for are those that are not household waste, such as rubble, plasterboard and asbestos, which are expensive for us to handle and dispose of. On top of this, small businesses can use the HWRCs for a fee, and we will continue to allow residents from neighbouring counties to use the Hampshire sites for a £5 charge after 1 April, even though many of our neighbouring counties will no longer allow non-residents access.

“We have one of the largest HWRC networks in the country, open all year round except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Our district colleagues also offer kerbside bulky waste collections.

“There is no excuse for fly-tipping. It is not the result of a few individuals wanting to get rid of the odd mattress, unable to either organise a waste collection from their local council or take it to the HWRC for free. These aren’t the sort of people who use a recycling centre, sorting out their cardboard from their electricals like most law-abiding citizens. It is predominantly organised crime on a national scale, with commentators highlighting the profits these criminal gangs are making. I would urge all Hampshire residents to be vigilant, report what they see and know their legal duty when it comes to employing anyone to take their waste for them.”

Everyone has a legal duty of care to ensure that any waste from their household or business is disposed of correctly, reducing the risk of rubbish being dumped illegally. Failure to do this could result in an unlimited fine and a criminal record, if waste ends up fly-tipped.