Council’s continued crack down on fly tipping pays off

Although fly tipping remains a problem, and still effects neighbourhoods in Leeds, the formation of the council’s serious environmental crime team in 2022 is having a significant impact in the fight against fly tipped waste.

The team was established in 2022 with the remit to target, investigate and prosecute organised and industrial-scale environmental crime. With a focus on tackling repeat offenders and illegal waste carriers, who are responsible for a significant portion of fly tipping in Leeds.

Since 2021 the team has successfully taken 34 cases to court, securing custodial sentences and large fines for fly tippers guilty of blighting communities across Leeds. In addition to this, numerous vehicles involved in environmental crime have been taken off the road, with 10 being crushed in the last 12 months alone.

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council's executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said, “While fly tipping is a national problem, I am proud of the work the council is doing to tackle fly tipping in Leeds. I am also very grateful to those residents who are playing their part too; whether taking extra care to check who takes their waste away or providing important information to help us track and convict fly tippers.  

“We have been clear that we will always take swift action to limit the ability of criminals to fly tip in Leeds, and it is welcoming to see our approach be vindicated in the recent government data. However, we are noy complacent, and the message remains to those who commit environmental crime, we will find you and you will be prosecuted.”

Leeds City Council’s advice to residents is please don’t give your waste - including any scrap metal, to anyone without checking their credentials including;

• Their waste carriers license Waste Carriers, Brokers and Dealers (data.gov.uk)
• Asking where and how they will dispose of your waste,
• Obtaining their full details including their name and registration number.

Residents have an obligation to dispose of their waste legally, either through an accredited waste carrier, council refuse collection or at Household Waste Recycling Centre. If your waste is found illegally dumped, you can be fined or prosecuted.

Leeds residents are able to take household waste for free to any of our eight-household waste and recycling sites that are open seven days a week all year round.