Fines for flytippers and litterers more than double in council crackdown

A zero-tolerance crackdown on selfish flytippers and litterers has resulted in a 141% increase in the number of fixed penalty notices (FPNs) issued for littering and fly-tipping. 

The council’s new Don’t Mess with Brent campaign has seen 851 people issued with fixed penalty notices for selfishly dumping rubbish on local streets – up from 353 the month before. Of these 851 FPNs, more than half (53%) have already been paid.

This figure includes ten FPNs for a recent mass-scale fly-tipping event on a site in Bridge Park. Teams inspected the rubbish and found evidence linking it back to properties across London, and 70% of these FPNs have already been paid.

Last year (2023/24), dealing with fly-tipping cost local taxpayers over £1.5m, money that could have been better spent on important frontline services. 

There are now even more eagle-eyed council enforcement officers patrolling the streets of Brent with powers to issue fines of up to £1,000.

Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

“Like most residents, the council has simply had enough. Our borough is beautiful and most of us take huge pride in our public spaces.

“We would prefer not to have to issue fines. However, we hope that this increase in penalties serves as a warning to anyone considering using our streets as their personal waste bin. Be warned: Don’t Mess with Brent.” 

When disposing of items, residents are being reminded to:

• Use a free Community Skip or small items collection service
• Take their waste to the Abbey Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre
• If using a waste collection company, they must check they are licensed and get an official waste transfer note
• Consider whether they could give it to charity instead of throwing it away so it can be reused.

In return, the council is taking a zero-tolerance approach to littering and fly-tipping. As well as more enforcement officers issuing higher fixed penalty notices and the popular Community Skips, the council has cameras installed in fly-tipping hotspot areas to catch those committing waste crimes against Brent’s streets. It will also continue to put up ‘WANTED’ posters to encourage the public to share any information to help bring these devious dumpers to justice.

Find out more about Don’t Mess with Brent.