Increasing the cost of enviro crime

The cost of fly-tipping and littering is rising as heavier fines for are set to be introduced in Blaby District.

Blaby District Council is increasing the fines for environmental crime offences including fly-tipping, littering, graffiti and fly-posting, following changes in the law.

The authority's Cabinet Executive agreed on 4 November to introduce tougher fixed penalty notices (FPNs) as part of work to deter offenders.

Previously, those caught fly-tipping were fined £400, but new fines could see tippers slapped with a £800 for dumping business waste, or £500 for household waste. The fixed penalty notices will be reduced to £600 and £300 if paid early.

Litter louts will also see fines increased from £150, to up to £400 depending on the number of items dropped. FPNs for single items, such as cigarette butts, will be £200.

Graffiti and fly-posting fines will double, each increasing from £150 to £300, reduced to £200 if repaid early.

The new fines will take effect from 1 April 2025.

Councillor Les Phillimore, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Community and Environmental Services, said: "There is no excuse for environmental crimes. Every time you drop a piece of litter, dump items or graffiti on a wall, you're leaving the cost of the clean-up to tax payers.

"With an increase in the maximum fines we can levy, we're introducing these tougher fines to also help recoup some of the money it costs us to investigate and clean up after environmental criminals.

"We're committed to educating people on correctly disposing of waste, and keeping our streets clean, but when we need to, we issue fixed penalty notices to deter offenders too."