FLY-TIPPING reports have increased dramatically across the North East over the last two years, with some areas reporting thousands more cases since 2019.

According to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), a total of 81,867 fly-tipping incidents were recorded across the region in 2020/21, up from 64,628 during the previous 12-months.

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Figures show that Newcastle is the North East's worst area for fly-tipping, with 16,150 incidents reported in 2020/21 – an increase of 4,750 from the previous year.

Sunderland also recorded a huge rise in incidents, with 11,743 reports in 2020/21 compared to 8,829 the year before.

In Darlington, there were 3,411 reports in 2020/21 compared to 2,838 the previous year, whilst County Durham saw an increase of 2,434 fly tips over the same period.

Only one North East area, Northumberland, saw fewer fly tipping reports in 2020/21, albeit a very small reduction of five fewer incidents recorded than the previous year.

Some councils reported a spike in fly-tipping during the Covid pandemic, particularly as national lockdowns forced the closure of tips at the same time people were spending more time at home and turning to DIY jobs that produced additional waste with nowhere to go.

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During the second and third lockdowns, tips were allowed to stay open, but many incidents of fly-tipping were still reported across the region.

For example, figures published by Defra last year found waste was discovered in County Durham 17 times a day on average.

Clean-up bills per incident average around £1,000, according to the National Rural Crime Network, but large-scale incidents can cost upwards of £10,000.

This has led to a rural insurance expert calling on North East landowners to take extra steps to protect themselves against fly-tipping.

Rupert Wailes-Fairbairn, of Newcastle-based rural insurance broker Lycetts, said: “Fly-tipping is an unwelcome blight on our countryside and can represent far more than an inconvenience to victims of the crime.

The Northern Echo:

Fly-tipping near Lingfield Way in Darlington in April 2020 Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

“Incidents not only pose significant environmental and human health risks, but also a legal and financial burden for farmers and landowners.

“Although local authorities will usually pay the clean-up costs of clearing waste from public land, the responsibility for removing waste from private land falls squarely at the feet of the landowners.

“If they fail to do so, they can face prosecution.

“In some cases, farmers can be repeatedly targeted and costs can quickly escalate,” he added.

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“Many combined farm policies, however, will cover the clean-up costs, typically capped between £10,000 and £15,000 for the insurance period “For those at risk of being targeted during these dark winter evenings, extra vigilance and a review of security measures is prudent.

“Prevention is better than cure and steps should be taken to ensure access to land and fields is restricted, where possible, with physical barriers.

“Gates should be locked when not in use and although witnesses of fly-tipping incidents should not approach the perpetrators, by cutting back hedges and installing exterior lighting, visibility for the landowner can be notably improved.

“The installation of security cameras can also act as a deterrent and help in securing successful prosecutions.”

This table shows the number of fly-tips reported by local authority area

Local authority area

Total incidents 2020/21

Total incidents 2019/20

County Durham

8559

6125

Darlington

3411

2838

Gateshead

9513

7804

Hartlepool

2590

1586

Middlesbrough

2588

2113

Newcastle upon Tyne

16150

11580

North Tyneside

4806

3391

Northumberland

5036

5041

Redcar and Cleveland

8686

9001

South Tyneside

6167

4400

Stockton-on-Tees

2618

1920

Sunderland

11743

8829

Richmondshire

313

178

Scarborough

1508

743

Harrogate

682

588

Hambleton

664

358

Ryedale

114

101

York

1808

1540

 

 

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