The flytipping of controlled waste is a serious criminal offence which carries a fine of up to £20,000. Lewisham Council treats this problem very seriously and will prosecute anyone caught flytipping waste.
If you discover dumped waste
- Do not touch the waste: flytipped waste can be dangerous - it may contain syringes, broken glass, asbestos, toxic chemicals or other hazardous substances
- Inspect the waste: try to determine what the waste consists of and how much there is
- Note its exact location and whether it is in or near water
- Do not disturb the site: there may be evidence that could help identify the culprits and lead to their prosecution.
| Dispose of your waste legally
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If you see someone flytipping
You can help us to find and prosecute the flytippers. If possible, make a note of:
- the day, date and time you saw the tipping.
- how many people were flytipping and what they looked like
- what they were actually doing
- any vehicles involved - their make, colour and registration number
- what was tipped
- where were you when you saw the flytipping:
- what kind of view you had
- how far away you were
- weather and light conditions
Remember - don't put yourself at risk
Flytipping and the law
The flytipping of controlled waste is a serious criminal offence which carries a fine of up to £20,000 (unlimited if indicted to the Crown Court) or an offender can even be sent to prison. It is also an offence to permit flytipping.
Flytipping is often associated with dumping waste from vehicles. In this case, the person controlling the use of the vehicle can also be prosecuted, which means that it is possible for a prosecution to occur when only the vehicle, not the driver, is identifiable. The police also have the powers to seize vehicles used for flytipping.