Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) has welcomed the government’s latest crackdown on fly-tipping and waste crime, confirming it will consider how to apply the new powers locally as conversations continue internally.
The new measures – announced by DEFRA – will allow councils to seize and crush vehicles used by fly-tippers, deploy drones and mobile CCTV, and issue stronger penalties of up to five years in prison for illegal waste activity. The reforms are part of the government’s wider Plan for Change aimed at delivering cleaner streets and countryside across the UK.
Councillor David Drew, portfolio holder for Recycling and Environmental Services at Test Valley Borough Council, said:
“I am delighted that these powers have been made available, and we will use them as and when relevant to the case. I will be speaking with council officers to see how we can use these new powers to maximum effect in Test Valley.
“No one likes a fly-tipper, and this will enhance our ability to take action, prosecute, and continue to enforce our zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping in our borough.”
The new legislation aims to address a surge in waste crime and illegal dumping, with national figures showing a 20% increase in fly-tipping since 2018/19, while prosecutions have dropped by a similar percentage.
TVBC continues to take a strong stance on waste offences, with dozens of successful investigations and prosecutions in recent years.