A crackdown on flytipping in Swindon and Wiltshire is being led by the region's Police and Crime Commissioner. 

Philip Wilkinson has joined with fellow Police and Crime Commissioners from nearby regions, including Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Devon and Cornwall in agreeing that more needs to be done.

The group has lobbied the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Therese Coffey MP, to propose tougher penalties for fly-tippers.

Their recommendations include increasing the maximum penalty for small-scale fly-tipping, changing the maximum fine to a minimum fine to be imposed on repeat offenders, greater use of powers to impound and destroy vehicles involved and introducing a national waste crime offenders list. 

Mr Wilkinson said: “Fly-tipping has a detrimental effect on the environment it’s something we need to crack down on in Wiltshire. It’s not only destroying our beautiful countryside but also costing our already stretched local authorities millions of pounds.

“We believe it’s time to put the cost onto the criminals, not the taxpayers. With the current cost of living crisis this change has never been so crucial.

“The government has the goal to eradicate waste crime by 2043. If this target is going to be met, then there needs to be greater coordination across the country and tougher penalties to deter criminals."