Fly-tipping fines in Sheffield treble in a year during lockdown – but just TWO are prosecuted

The number of fly-tipping fines issued in Sheffield trebled last year as illegal dumping soared during lockdown.
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Sheffield Council doled out 186 fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping during 2020, compared with just 54 in 2019.

The amount paid in fines doubled from £7,800 to £15,730, figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act reveal.

Fly-tipping in Gleadless Valley, SheffieldFly-tipping in Gleadless Valley, Sheffield
Fly-tipping in Gleadless Valley, Sheffield
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But the number of successful prosecutions fell from 14 to two, with those convicted last year ordered to pay just £650 in fines and costs last year compared with £9,263 in 2019.

Fly-tipping is illegal and those caught can be fined up to £50,000 or face 12 months in prison if convicted in a Magistrates’ Court.

Dropping litter or throwing it from a car is a criminal offence, which carries an instant £80 fine.

The Sheffield Litter Pickers group recently called for better enforcement of littering and fly-tipping, which it said was largely limited to the city centre.