'Avalanche of litter' as rubbish dumped 125 times an hour in fly-tipping surge

04 April 2023 , 21:30

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More than a million fly-tipping cases were reported last year - up a third under the Tories (Image: SWNS)

Labour has pledged to set up "clean up squads" across the country to deal with rubbish being illegally dumped 3,000 times each day.

Under new plans unveiled today, those responsible for fly-tipping will be made to clean it up.

Tories are accused of allowing neighbourhoods to be "buried in an avalanche of litter and dumped rubbish".

Alarming new figures from Defra show that fly-tipping incidents have skyrocketed by a third since the Conservatives took power.

Last year there were more than one million cases, compared to just under 820,000 in 2010.

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This works out at 125 an hour, or 2,989 a day.

Shadow Justice Secretary Steve Reed said: “The Conservatives have let neighbourhoods be buried under an avalanche of litter and dumped rubbish – leaving communities feeling broken and powerless down a spiral of decline.

Labour's Steve Reed says communities are 'buried under an avalanche of litter' (PA)

"A Labour government will clean up Britain. We will introduce clean-up squads to ensure those who make the mess, clean up the mess."

He said new rules would target fly-tippers, rubbish dumpers and vandals.

Labour says the number of Fixed Penalty Notices for fly-tippers rose by 176% in 13 years – demonstrating that the current sanction regime isn’t working in deterring offenders.

Last month Keir Starmer said Labour will also prioritise "fighting the virus that is anti-social behaviour: fly-tipping, off-road biking in rural areas, drugs".

Polls suggest anti-social behaviour is a key concern for voters ahead of the general election next year.

The fly-tipping crackdown is part of a Labour focus on tackling anti-social behaviour.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said previously: “Anti-social behaviour ruins lives without consequence. After 13 years of Conservative government, more offenders are getting away with it, and more communities are being completely let down."

She added: “Labour’s mission will be to make Britain’s streets safe. Tackling anti-social behaviour is a key part of that mission, and we have the plan to deliver it.”

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