Refusing to help our fly-tip investigations could lead to prosecution
‘We take fly-tipping seriously and we expect residents to do the same’ – that's the message from East Hampshire District Council after fines were issued to two people who refused to co-operate with council investigations into fly-tipping.
Our District Team officers examine fly-tips in East Hampshire and will collect the evidence they need to prosecute those responsible.
Even if you are not responsible for dumping the waste yourself, if you withhold vital information you could end up in court.
Last week Thanh Biu, of Eastleigh, and David Buceanu, of Portsmouth, were ordered to pay fines and costs for not helping EHDC with its enquiries into two fly-tips in Horndean.
Cllr Tony Costigan, Portfolio Holder for Property, said: “Fly-tipping is a blight on our beautiful countryside.
“It is unsightly, polluting and costs the tax payer thousands to clear. We absolutely do not tolerate it and our District Team will always examine fly-tips to see if those responsible can be identified.
“If you are asked to provide information as part of the investigation you can be compelled by law to co-operate.
“We take fly-tipping seriously and we expect residents to do the same. In these cases our investigations were thwarted by residents who refused to give up information that would help us find the fly-tippers.”
At Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Friday 18 October, Biu was fined £200 and order to pay £80 surcharge and £500 costs after failing to provide information to help an investigation into a fly-tip on Hinton Manor Lane, Horndean, in August 2023.
On the same day Buceanu was fined £400 and ordered to pay £160 surcharge and £1,206 costs after failing to provide information relating to a fly-tip on Slant Hill, Horndean, in August 2022.
How can you avoid a fine?
If you have rubbish you need to dispose of, book a trip to the tip (Household Waste Recycling Centre) or contact an approved waste carrier (don’t fall for people knocking on your door).
When they take your waste, you should get a waste transfer note as a receipt to show who took it. That way, if it is fly tipped, you’ll be able to show you did everything you could to ensure it was disposed of correctly.
You could also use our bulky waste collection service.
How do you report a fly tip?
If you see someone in the process of fly tipping, please phone the police on 101.
If the fly tip is blocking the road, please contact Hampshire County Council.
Please be aware that fly-tips can contain dangerous and hazardous materials, so for your own safety we ask you not to touch any tip you may find. Also, please do not remove anything from the fly tip as this could compromise any prosecution that may result from our investigation.