Fly-tippers in Milton Keynes could face up to £1,000 fines under new penalties

A new three-tier system will make those responsible for larger fly tipping crimes pay much tougher fines than those for smaller incidents.

Previously, someone dumping a single item of waste faced the same £400 Fixed Penalty Notice as someone dumping a vanload of rubbish. The new system (introduced on September 1) brings a sliding scale of fines, with the most serious offences facing penalties of up to £1,000.

The new penalties are:

• £400 or smaller fly-tipping incidents, including single items and smaller amounts of household waste.
• £600 for larger household waste deposits, including transit van loads, and small amounts of commercial waste.
• £1,000 for major incidents, including multiple items, tipper loads of waste and larger commercial fly tipping offences.

Reports of fly-tipping in Milton Keynes have fallen by almost 27% since the Council's first action plan was introduced in 2021. But illegal dumping continues to blight neighbourhoods and cost taxpayers money.

The changes form part of the Council's drive to tackle environmental crime and target those responsible for the most damage to local communities.

Cllr Kerrie Bradburn, Cabinet Member for Environment said: "Fly-tipping is a crime. It damages our environment, spoils our communities and costs taxpayers thousands of pounds every year to clear up.

“For too long, the same fixed penalty applied regardless of whether someone dumped a single item or a large quantity of waste. Our new three-tier system means the punishment now better fits the crime.

“We want to send a clear message that Milton Keynes will not tolerate fly-tipping."