Blog 23.09.16

Addressing the UK's Unprecedented Fly-tipping Escalation

Have you been affected by fly-tipping or unlawful dumping of commercial waste? If so, you’re not alone: since 2013 there has been an alarming rise in cases across the country, with more than 900,000 incidents reported last year. Labelled a ‘massive problem’ by Richard Mcllwain, the Deputy Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy, the increase has prompted the government to introduce on-the-spot penalty fines and amendments to criminal legislation. Despite these changes however, the prosecution process continues to be slow and police are often powerless to act, resulting in many fly-tippers or trespassers motivated to create unlawful pop-up waste tips reoffending before action can take place.

While local authorities are responsible for dealing with waste dumped on public land, they are under no obligation to help with incidents on private land. This means landowners are left with the often heavy burden – and cost – of removing it. Therefore, it’s extremely important to take preventative steps to minimise the risk of fly-tipping taking place on your property.

The First Steps in the Fight Against Fly-Tipping

Step 1: Ask your chosen security supplier to conduct a site inspection to help review the current security measures at your site and identify existing weaknesses. Large lots, vacant warehouses and parking lots are prime targets for commercial-scale illegal waste dumpers, so ensure special attention is paid to those. Make sure to ask your supplier to provide you with a written report and recommendations.

Step 2: You should also take the time to examine the physical opportunities your assets may offer larger-scale trespassers (including squatters, raves or travellers) who can also create waste problems.

Step 3: Consider a range of physical and system measures that can bolster your asset’s physical defences against current threats. These may change based on the area, so seek the advice of your security advisor as to what the greatest risks there are in your location. Select appropriate products to counter those risks.

Step 4: Explore effective responses to threats and the speed in which they can be carried out. Ensure that processes are streamlined and as efficient as possible, leaving as little time as possible between your systems alerting you of trouble and action taking place.

Take Action Against Dumped Waste

It’s imperative to create a security plan that addresses all weaknesses, rather than focuses on individual spaces or buildings. Putting in place a complete perimeter protection (usually in the form of secured barriers and concrete blocks) in addition to qualified SIA licensed security guards will maximise security across your site. An adequate CCTV or video verification system will also prove invaluable if a fly-tipping incident does happen. Finally, it’s important that an adequate reporting and quick escalation protocol is present and in place to ensure a quick response if an incident does happen.

Remember, money and time spent on adequately addressing security requirements up front will save time, money and distress further down the line.