Southampton City Council has appointed two new Environmental Protection Officers in a bid to target persistent fly-tippers.

The move has been welcomed by a local councillor who said it will save tax-payer money.

Fly-tipping clear-ups have cost Southampton tax-payers more than £2m over the past 8 years.

A spokesperson from Southampton City Council said an increase in fly-tipping in Southampton was part of a national trend, with “parks and opens spaces” seeing the most cases.

The statement added: “The decision to employ the officers was made to increase the council’s ability to investigate fly tipping incidents, pursue enforcement activity when appropriate; deter offenders and encourage residents and businesses to dispose of waste responsibly.”

Daily Echo:

The effort will be supported by a campaign reminding residents of the penalties they could face if caught fly-tipping (a fine of up to £50,000 or prison sentence) as well as the responsibility they have in making sure that the waste disposal agents they use are licensed.

Steven Galton, Millbrook Conservative councillor and Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Planning welcomed the crack down, adding “Labour should also act around our known hotspots; such as charity bin sites and provide additional measures such as CCTV to help stop the theft and fly-tipping that happens.”

Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Councillor Dave Shields acknowledged the cost to the taxpayer of clearing rubbish left by fly-tippers.

However, he described prosecutions for fly tipping as “the worst possible outcome for everyone” instead urging people to “[do] the right thing” by disposing of rubbish through “the proper channels” such as taking waste to local recycling centres, booking a council bulky waste collection or using a licensed waste carrier.

He said: “The issue of fly tipping is a problem that is on the increase nationally - I want our city to fight against that trend.”