Fly-tippers in Cornwall face £5k fine in new crackdown

Fly-tippers in Cornwall could face fines of up to £5,000 if they are caught illegally disposing waste.

The threat is a part of Cornwall Council's new push to quash the crime after it recorded 17,500 fly-tipping incidents in the past five years.

It has introduced the use of covert cameras to catch unlicensed waste carriers in the act, and is also encouraging residents to submit evidence if they catch anything on camera. Households who are found to have employed fly-tippers also face fines.

Cornwall Council said there was "no excuse" for the offence, and that it would hold fly-tippers to account.

"We work hard to identify those responsible for illegal dumping and will hold offenders to account wherever possible," said Sarah-Jane Brown, group leader for community protection at Cornwall Council.

"We're asking people to play their part and work with us to prevent fly-tipping, and to share any information that may help us trace those responsible for dumping rubbish."

Councillor Thalia Marrington, council cabinet member with responsibility for community safety and public protection, said: "Fly-tipping can cause serious harm to our communities, the environment and wildlife.

"It also costs councils and landowners huge amounts of money to clear up."

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