Wiltshire Council is appealing for help after a sofa was dumped in a village near Salisbury.

The sofa was fly-tipped on Millbrook Lane, East Knoyle.

The exact 3-metre square location, on What3words, is the address: elbowing.webcams.varietes

Salisbury Journal:

The council is asking anyone with any information to email environmentalenforcement@wiltshire.gov.uk

Incidents on the rise

Fly-tipping incidents are on the rise in the region.

Government data from DEFRA (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) shows incidents in the South West have risen from 50, 506 in 2019/20 to 55, 162 in 2020/21.

Incidents on agricultural land increased, year-on-year, from 241 to 563.

Rupert Wailes-Fairbairn, of rural insurance broker Lycetts, said that fly-tipping is an "unwelcome blight" on the countryside, and risks include environmental and human health, as well as financial burdens for farmers and landowners.

Clean-up bills per incident average around £1,000, according to the National Rural Crime Network.

He added that there is often a surge of incidents in January as people look to dispose of festive waste, such as Christmas trees, under cover of darkness.

He said: “For those at risk of being targeted during these dark winter evenings, extra vigilance and a review of security measures is prudent.

“Prevention is better than cure and steps should be taken to ensure access to land and fields is restricted, where possible, with physical barriers.

“Gates should be locked when not in use and although witnesses of fly-tipping incidents should not approach the perpetrators, by cutting back hedges and installing exterior lighting, visibility for the landowner can be notably improved. The installation of security cameras can also act as a deterrent and help in securing successful prosecutions.”

Last week, a Salisbury resident was fined £400 after dumping a sofa in a communal area.

Residents can report fly-tipping and unauthorised waste carriers using the MyWilts app, calling 0300 4560100 or on the Wiltshire Council website.

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