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• 6 July 2026
  

   

  Fly-Tipping – Help Keep Our Communities Clean and Safe

  Fly-tipping remains a persistent issue across our towns, villages, and rural areas. The illegal dumping of waste not only blights the landscape but can also cause environmental damage, harm wildlife, create health hazards, and leave landowners and local authorities with significant clean-up costs.

  From household rubbish and building materials to large-scale commercial waste, fly-tipping affects everyone and has a direct impact on 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 who seek to avoid legitimate disposal costs.

  Avon and Somerset Police work closely with local authorities, the Environment Agency, and community partners to identify offenders, gather evidence, and take appropriate enforcement action against those responsible.

  How You Can Help

  The information provided by residents, landowners, and 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 with waste onboard
  • 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, 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 assist investigations.

  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 duty 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 transfer documentation

  If your waste is later found to have been dumped illegally, you may be required 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

  Together, we can help prevent fly-tipping and ensure our neighbourhoods remain places we can all take pride in.

• 17 June 2026
  

   

  Fly-Tipping – A Priority for Local Policing

  Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste and continues to have a serious impact on our communities, rural areas, and public spaces.

  It harms the environment, threatens wildlife, and can pose risks to public health. It also leaves landowners and local authorities dealing with costly clean-ups.

  Fly-tipping is often linked to wider criminality, including the use of unlicensed or rogue waste carriers. Avon and Somerset Police are working closely with partner agencies to prevent offences, identify offenders, and take strong enforcement action.

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  How You Can Help

  Your vigilance and reporting make a real difference.

  Report Fly-Tipping or Suspicious Activity

  If you witness illegal dumping or suspicious behaviour linked to waste disposal:

  • 999 – if it is happening right now
  • 101 – for non-emergency reports
  • Local Council – to report fly-tipping on public land

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  Stay Safe

  Evidence can support investigations, but your safety must always come first.

  ✔ Photos or video can be helpful – only if it is safe to do so
  ❌ Do not approach or challenge those involved

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  Dispose of Waste Responsibly

  Protect yourself and the environment by managing waste correctly:

  • Use registered waste carriers only
  • Always ask for and keep proof of disposal (receipts or documentation)

  Failing to do this could leave you liable if your waste is dumped illegally.

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  Working Together

  By reporting concerns and disposing of waste responsibly, you are helping to:

  • Protect our environment
  • Support local communities
  • Tackle criminal activity

  Together, we can take a stand against fly-tipping and keep our communities clean and safe.

• 3 June 2026
  

   

  Fly-Tipping – A Priority for Local Policing

  Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste and continues to have a damaging impact on our communities, rural areas and public spaces. It harms the environment, puts wildlife and public health at risk, and leaves landowners and councils facing significant clean-up costs.

  It can also be linked to wider criminal activity, including the use of unlicensed or rogue waste carriers. Avon and Somerset Police are working closely with partner agencies to prevent offences, identify those responsible and take appropriate enforcement action.

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  How You Can Help

  Report Fly-Tipping or Suspicious Behaviour

  If you see waste being dumped or notice anything suspicious linked to waste disposal:

  Call 999 if it is happening at the time

  Call 101 to report non-urgent information

  Fly-tipping on public land can also be reported to your local council

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  Stay Safe When Gathering Evidence

  Photos or video footage can be helpful, but only if it is safe to do so.
  Do not put yourself at risk or approach anyone involved.

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  Dispose of Waste Responsibly

  Always use registered waste carriers and keep a record of any waste removed.
  This helps ensure your waste is disposed of legally and protects you from potential fines or liability if it is dumped illegally.

• 20 May 2026
  

   

  Fly‑Tipping – A Priority for Local Policing

  Fly‑tipping is the illegal dumping of waste and continues to affect our communities, rural areas and public spaces. It damages the environment, puts wildlife and public health at risk, and creates a costly problem for landowners and local councils to clear.

  It can also be linked to wider criminal activity, including the use of unlicensed or rogue waste carriers. Avon and Somerset Police are working with partner agencies to prevent offences, identify those responsible and take action where needed.

  How you can help

  Report fly‑tipping or suspicious behaviour If you see waste being dumped or anything suspicious linked to waste disposal:

  • Call 999 if the incident is happening at the time
  • Call 101 to report information that is not urgent
  • Fly‑tipping on public land can also be reported to your local council

  Only gather evidence if it is safe Photos or video footage can support investigations, but only if it is safe to do so. Please do not put yourself at risk or approach anyone involved.

  Dispose of waste responsibly Always use registered waste carriers and keep a record of any waste you have removed. This helps prevent your waste from being illegally dumped and protects you from potential fines or liability.

  Working together By reporting incidents and staying vigilant, you are helping us protect our communities and keep our environment clean and safe.

• 6 May 2026
  

   

  Fly‑Tipping – Local Policing Priority

  Fly‑tipping is the illegal dumping of waste and continues to blight local communities, rural areas and public spaces. It harms the environment, poses risks to wildlife and public health, and places a significant financial burden on landowners and local authorities.

  Fly‑tipping can also be linked to wider criminality, including the use of rogue or unlicensed waste carriers. Avon and Somerset Police are working closely with partner agencies to prevent offending, identify those responsible and take appropriate enforcement action.

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  How the Public Can Help

  You can support this work by:

  Reporting Fly‑Tipping and Suspicious Activity

  Please report fly‑tipping or any suspicious behaviour linked to waste disposal:

  • Call 999 if the dumping is happening now
  • Call 101 to provide non‑emergency information
  • Fly‑tipping on public land can also be reported directly to your local council

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  Only Record If It Is Safe

  Photographs or video footage can help investigations, but only record images if it is safe to do so. Do not put yourself at risk and never confront offenders.

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  Dispose of Waste Responsibly

  Always use licensed waste carriers and keep records of waste transfers. This helps prevent waste from being illegally dumped and protects you from potential liability.

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