More than 6,000 instances of flytipping were recorded in Oxfordshire last year, costing taxpayers. 

This is an increase of 43% on the past two years, which were at around 4,200 cases per year according to Oxfordshire County Council. 

Head of Waste Regulation at the Environment Agency Steve Molyneux described the rise as 'disturbing'.

READ MORE: Closed recycling centres blamed for surge in fly-tipping during Covid lockdown

He said: "It is waste criminals with an utter disregard for the environment and for our communities who are to blame."

Witney Gazette: Fly tipping a 'blight on the environment'. File PhotoFly tipping a 'blight on the environment'. File Photo

The amount of incidents in the past twelve months has prompted the Oxfordshire Resources and Waste Partnership to start using the SCRAP code, based on an award-winning Hertfordshire campaign, to help people avoid fly-tipping.

It is:

  • Suspect all waste carriers.
  • Check with the Environment Agency that the provider taking waste away is licensed.
  • Refuse unexpected offers to have waste taken away.
  • Ask what will happen to your waste.
  • Paperwork should be obtained 

Oxfordshire County Council’s Waste Partnership Manager Vicky Beechey said: "As well as blighting the countryside and local amenity areas, fly-tipping costs local council taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds every year to clean up."

She hopes the campaign will raise awareness of the unlimited fine and prosecution residents can face if their waste is found to have been fly-tipped.

Thames Valley Police’s Rural Crime Inspector Stuart Hutchings said: “Flytipping is an offence: one that poses a risk to people and the environment."

You can anonymously report suspected illegal waste services to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 and report waste that has been fly-tipped to the local council.