Tipping the scales against fly-tipping in Cornwall: police join in stand against illegal littering

We are working together with Cornwall Council to crack down on fly-tipping across the county in a bid to protect the environment and keep our communities clean.

There were 3,655 incidents of fly-tipping of illegal dumping of large items and waste on public roads, land and in rivers reported to Cornwall Council in 2023/2024.

To tackle the issue, a fake fly-tip using real-life waste were set up in Golitha Falls (near Liskeard) earlier this month to open a conversation with passers-by about the dangers of dumping rubbish and how easy it is to report it.

Rural Affairs Officer PC Clarke Orchard, who supported and attended the unique event said: “Not only is fly tipping an eye sore, but with it comes a wealth of environmental consequences and financial implications; all of which cause harm in our communities.

“This is a selfish offence and one that blights our beautiful landscape and countryside. We will continue to work closely with our local partners across Devon and Cornwall to support educational events to raise awareness of this issue as well as targeted operations to identify those responsible.”

Addressing the public directly, PC Orchard said: “Whether you report fly-tipping when you see it or disposing of your waste correctly, we all have an important part to play in tackling this issue.

“If you fly-tip, your actions can have huge implications on wildlife, waterways and the wider community, including farmers and landowners. So please, stop and think twice.”

Sarah-Jane Brown, Group Leader for Community Protection at Cornwall Council, said: “Fly-tipping causes significant harm in rural communities. Dumped waste can damage wildlife habitats, pollute waterways, and harm livestock. It also blights the countryside, spoiling Cornwall’s natural beauty and creating costly and time-consuming clean-ups for landowners and the Council.

“We all have a responsibility to keep Cornwall clean and safe.”

Steve Clark, Environment Agency Waste Prevention team leader, said, "It’s great to work in partnership to raise awareness of waste crime and what to do about it. You must get rid of your unwanted items responsibly. 

"If you use an unregistered waste carrier and your rubbish ends up fly-tipped, you could be fined or prosecuted. To check if a carrier is legitimate, visit the Environment Agency (EA) website. If they’re not listed there, don’t use them.

"If you suspect that waste crime is taking place in your community, contact our 24/7 Environment Agency hotline on 0800 80 70 60, or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers.”

Fly-tipping has links to organised criminality, scarring the landscape and threatening wildlife. Fly-tipping also absorbs public funds that could be used for vital local services and is estimated to cost the UK £1 billion every year.

Those found responsible can receive significant fines in Magistrates’ Courts and unlimited fines in higher courts, as well as community punishment orders or prison sentences of up to five years.

The event took place on 6 November, organised by Devon & Cornwall Police in collaboration with the Environment Agency, Cornwall Council and Clean Cornwall.

When to report fly-tipping to your local authority:

Anyone with information relating to the identities of people responsible for fly-tipping should contact their local authority.

For large-scale waste dumping, please contact the Environment Agency: Environment Agency - GOV.UK

When to report fly-tipping to the police:

It is considered a police matter if waste is causing an obstruction on a road or a fly-tipping crime is in progress. Call 999.

Reporting anonymously:

You can report 100% anonymously via Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org