A NATIONAL call for tougher sentences for fly-tippers has been been backed by Wyre Forest District Council, writes Ellie Taylor.
New data shows court fines for fly-tipping offences are falling lower than the penalties councils can issue.
The figures revealed the average court fine issued was £539, compared with a fixed penalty notice of £626 on average from local councils.
Wyre Forest District Council believes this does not deliver justice or protect local neighbourhoods sufficiently.
A significant amount of resources are used to investigate fly-tipping, including clean-up costs, important officer time and legal resources.
Coun Nathan Desmond, cabinet member for operational services, said: “Fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence that damages our local environment and takes valuable time and resources away from other frontline services.
“Last financial year there were 831 incidents in the district.
“When court fines are lower than the penalties councils can issue, it sends the wrong message and weakens our ability to deter offenders.”
On average, fly-tipping costs local councils more than £19.3million-a-year to clear up large-scale offences.
There were 1.26million incidents recorded in England in 2024 and 2025 alone.
The Local Government Association is demanding for a review of sentencing guidelines, court fines which consistently exceed fixed penalty notices, tougher sentences for repeat and organised offenders and better recovery of prosecution and investigation costs.
This call is being backed by the council with high hopes that sentencing will improve the pride of public spaces and reflect the seriousness of the crime.
