More councils to seize and crush fly-tippers’ vehicles

Fly-tippers and rogue waste operators face vehicle seizures and crushing, and up to five years in prison under a major government crackdown on rural waste crime.

In 2023-24, just two councils, West Northamptonshire and Kingston-upon-Thames, carried out the majority of vehicle seizures across England.

This has prompted calls from industry leaders for a broader rollout of enforcement powers.

See also: Majority of farmers victims of fly-tipping, finds NFU survey

Under the new measures, more councils will be empowered to work with police to identify, seize, and destroy vehicles used in fly-tipping offences.

Drones and mobile CCTV will aid in tracking offenders, while a fast-tracked review aims to cut red tape that has so far limited the use of these powers.

Announcing the new measures on Tuesday 29 April, Defra secretary Steve Reed said: “Waste criminals and fly-tippers who blight our towns and villages have gone unpunished for too long.

“That ends today. I will not stand by while this avalanche of rubbish buries our communities.”

Asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme how cash-strapped councils would afford a crackdown on waste crime, Mr Reed highlighted the £69 billion in government funding allocated to local authorities for 2025/26 – a 6.8% increase in cash terms.

The Environment Agency will also receive new resources, funded through waste permits, to tighten enforcement, revoke licences, and carry out identity and criminal record checks on operators – effectively shutting the door on rogue traders.

The move follows growing pressure from landowners, MPs and rural communities frustrated by the rise in waste crime.

A recent Country Land and Business Association (CLA) survey found 90% of members had been victims of fly-tipping in the past year, with nearly 40% experiencing six or more incidents.

More than 75% reported significant financial losses as a result.

Official figures from councils show there are more than 1.1m fly-tipping incidents each year in England, but the CLA believes the real number is much higher, as many cases on private land go unreported.

“Rural communities have had enough,” said CLA president Victoria Vyvyan.

“Fly-tipping isn’t just a nuisance – it’s a serious, organised crime problem, often involving violent gangs.

“Enforcement, including vehicle seizures, must be ramped up across all local authorities, not just a handful.”

MP’s plea

Alicia Kearns, Conservative MP for Rutland and Stamford, wrote to Defra farming minister Daniel Zeichner last week urging the government to insert a clause into the Crime and Policing Bill to add three penalty points to the driving licence of a person convicted of fly-tipping.

She said: “Rural communities and farmers are blighted far too often by the costs of removing dumped goods. This clause would significantly increase deterrence.”

The announcement forms part of the Labour government’s broader Plan for Change and commitment to safer streets, aiming to restore public faith in tackling environmental and anti-social crime.