MP urges clampdown on fly-tipping as figures increase

Ann Coffey MP has urged Stockport Council to prosecute fly-tippers after the latest figures reveal a dramatic increase in incidents over the last three years.

Ms Coffey said a clampdown was needed and prosecutions should be brought to send out a tough message to fly-tippers that their behaviour was un acceptable.

Figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for April 2006 to March 2007 show that there were 2,297 fly-tipping incidents in the borough of Stockport costing £103,645 to clean up. But there were no prosecutions.

This figure is more than fourteen times higher than in 2004-05 when the total number of incidents in Stockport was only 159 costing £7,332 for clearance.

In 2005-2006 there were 2,110 incidents costing £85,286 to clear up. Again there were no prosecutions.

Ann Coffey said:

“It is good that more fly tipping incidents are being reported as this demonstrates increased vigilance.

“It is also good that action is being taken to clean tipping up, but I would urge Stockport Council to go one step further and prosecute to send out a tough message. It is important to stop this anti-social behaviour happening in the first place.”

Nationally 56 per cent of all fly-tips involved household waste – a 10 per cent increase on 2005-6.

The Government is currently developing legislation that will give local authorities and the Environment Agency the powers to stop, search and   instantly seize vehicles being used to commit fly-tipping offences.