Fly Tipping
Fly‑tipping is the illegal dumping of waste and continues to affect local communities, rural areas and public spaces. It damages the environment, poses risks to wildlife and public safety, and creates costs for landowners and local authorities. Fly‑tipping is sometimes linked to wider criminality, including rogue waste carriers. Avon and Somerset Police are working with partner agencies to prevent offending, identify those responsible and take appropriate enforcement action.
How the public can help:
Please report fly‑tipping or suspicious activity. Call 999 if it is happening now, or 101 to provide information. Fly‑tipping on public land can also be reported to the local council. Only record images if safe to do so and never confront offenders. Always use licensed waste carriers.
Actions
-
31 August 2026
Fly-Tipping Continues to Affect Our Rural Communities
Unfortunately, we have recently received further reports of fly-tipping at Pots Lane, Berkley.
This location has been targeted previously by those responsible for illegally dumping waste. Following earlier incidents, the area was subject to extensive patrols and enforcement activity. While we were unfortunately unable to identify those responsible for the last incident, officers will continue carrying out patrols in this and other known hotspot locations.
With the continued support of our local communities, we remain confident that those responsible can be identified and brought before the courts.
Fly-tipping remains a persistent issue across our towns, villages, and rural communities. The illegal dumping of waste not only blights the landscape but can cause environmental damage, harm wildlife, create health hazards, and leave landowners and local authorities facing significant clean-up costs.
From household rubbish and building materials to large-scale commercial waste, fly-tipping impacts everyone and directly affects the quality of life within our communities.
More Than Just Waste Crime
Fly-tipping is often linked to wider criminal activity, including the use of unlicensed waste carriers and organised offenders seeking to avoid legitimate disposal costs.
Avon and Somerset Police works closely with local authorities, the Environment Agency, and community partners to identify offenders, gather evidence, and take enforcement action against those responsible.
How You Can Help
Information provided by residents, landowners, farmers, and local businesses is vital in helping us tackle fly-tipping and hold offenders to account.
Report Fly-Tipping and Suspicious Activity
Please contact us if you witness:
-Waste being dumped from a vehicle
– Suspicious vehicles parked in remote locations carrying waste
-Individuals unloading rubbish on farmland, verges, lay-bys, or public spaces
-Repeat incidents at known fly-tipping hotspots
How to Report
999 – If the offence is taking place at the time and offenders are present.
101 – For non-emergency reports and intelligence.
Your Local Council – To report fly-tipped waste on public land and arrange removal.
Information That Can Help Investigations
If it is safe to do so, please try to note:
-Vehicle registration numbers
– Make, model, and colour of vehicles involved
– Descriptions of individuals
– Location, date, and time of the incident
– Direction of travel
– Photographs or video footage
Even small details can provide valuable intelligence and help officers build a clearer picture of offending patterns.
Keep Yourself Safe
Your safety should always come first.
– Photographs or video footage can be useful evidence if obtained safely.
-Never approach, challenge, or attempt to stop individuals involved in fly-tipping.
Dispose of Waste Responsibly
Everyone has a responsibility to ensure their waste is disposed of legally.
Before paying someone to remove your waste:
– Check they are a registered waste carrier.
– Ask where your waste will be taken.
– Keep receipts, invoices, or waste transfer documentation.
If your waste is later found to have been dumped illegally, you may be asked to demonstrate that you took reasonable steps to ensure it was disposed of correctly.
Working Together to Prevent Fly-Tipping
By remaining vigilant, reporting suspicious activity, and disposing of waste responsibly, we can all play a part in protecting our local environment.
Your information helps us to:
-Identify and target offenders
– Build intelligence on repeat offending
– Support enforcement action
– Protect our countryside and public spaces
– Keep our communities clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone
We would like to thank everyone who continues to report incidents and share information with us. While we were unable to apprehend those responsible for the latest incident at Pots Lane, every report helps us build intelligence and direct patrols to the right locations. With your continued support, we are confident that together we can identify and bring future offenders to justice.
Together, we can help prevent fly-tipping and ensure our neighbourhoods remain places we can all take pride in