South Derbyshire sees almost 40% drop in fly-tipping

Derbyshire environment officers have said they need to continue trying to combat fly-tipping, despite figures showing a drop in incidents.

South Derbyshire District Council has seen almost a 40% reduction in fly-tipping in the region over two years.

Environmental manager Matt Holford said people were "cost cutting" or unsure where to dispose of certain items.

He said: "We are doing everything we can so taxpayers no longer pick up the bill for other people's selfishness."

Mr Holford said the council had worked with Derbyshire Police in the last six months to seize four scrap metal dealer vans and issue six penalty notices to dealers without the correct documents.

'Right direction'

Officers also issued warnings to businesses without waste disposal contracts and 51 warnings to people for littering and leaving bags of waste at recycling centres, as well as using surveillance cameras along rural roads.

Mr Holford added: "We seem to be going in the right direction.

"Predominantly it is naivety because people turn up to recycling centres thinking they can dispose of a material, then it is a bit of laziness when they don't take it to the proper disposal point.

"Then of course businesses are cost cutting. We appreciate everybody is going through a difficult time and it can be cheaper to dispose of items illegally rather than legally."