FLY-TIPPED waste was found almost 10,000 times in Southampton last year – though no court fines were dished out to offenders.

A whopping 9,980 fly-tipping incidents were flagged to the city council in 2020-21, according to figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

This was a drop from the 11,824 hauls of rubbish reported the year before, but no fines resulting from court convictions were issued between 2019 and 2021.

But this will soon change, council boss for the environment, Steven Galton told the Echo.

“Ensuring pro-active action, to tackle the blight that is fly-tipping, has been a top priority of the new Conservative-run council.

We are expanding our enforcement teams, so more incidents can be investigated and we stand the best chance of securing convictions,” he said.

SCC employed two Environmental Protection Officers (EPO) in October 2020 dedicated to fly-tipping investigations.

The Tory politician continued: “We still need your help as sometimes the only way to secure a conviction is with your witness statements and evidence; which can then be used to help us secure a prosecution.

“Anyone who has any information about the identity of any individuals who fly-tip rubbish in Southampton should email flytipping.investigation@southampton.gov.uk.

“The small minority that fly-tip cause frustration and anger with the vast majority of residents that dispose of their rubbish and unwanted items in a socially responsible and environmentally friendly way.

“There is also a cost attached to clearing up fly-tips; which is paid for by everyone in the city, not just the council.”

Since starting in their roles the EPOs have investigated numerous incidents and are now seeking prosecutions.

The council has also just employed another EPO and is in the process of recruiting a fourth member to further strengthen the team.

It is undertaking a comprehensive communications campaign to ensure that residents are aware of their ‘duty of care’ when employing a waste carrier, with every household in the city receiving a leaflet in April this year.

Alongside this, the authority will be removing the booking system from the Millbrook waste and recycling centre from December 27, for a trial period of three months.