5,615 recorded incidents of fly tipping in Rochdale in 2016

Fly tipping in Ashworth Valley

There were 5,615 cases recorded cases of fly-tipping in Rochdale last year, of which, just 16 crimes were prosecuted for, a Freedom of Information request by The Friends of Ashworth Valley has revealed.

For the 570 cases of littering recorded in Rochdale there were no prosecutions.

FOI question and answers

• Number of fly tipping incidents recorded in Rochdale in 2016.
  5,615, inclusive of advice given and immediately resolved, anonymous complaints and cases simply requiring removal.
  
  
• Number of prosecutions brought about for the above.
  13 individuals/businesses for a total of 16 environmental crimes during the calendar year 2016.
  
  
• Number of littering incidents recorded in Rochdale in 2016.
  570 reported through under street cleansing tickets.
  
  
• Number of prosecutions brought about for the above.
  None.
  
  
• The cost of investigating and securing prosecution for the above.
  Total costs of investigating and securing prosecution for the above amounted to £4132.45. This figure excludes compensation requests and represents Environmental Management’s costs in investigating incidents and preparing the necessary prosecution files. It does not include legal services costs in securing convictions. Costs actually awarded by the court following conviction, excluding compensation awards and victim surcharges, amounted to £3,754.

A spokesperson for The Friends of Ashworth Valley said: “The Friends of Ashworth Valley requested the figures for 2016 following lack of any enforcement from Rochdale Council after fly tippers have been identified from CCTV installed in Ashworth Valley.

“Witness statements have been given in the past but not acted on with culprits being slapped on the wrist and told not to do it again. As a result, our team of volunteers are left to clear up the mess.

“Additional CCTV cameras have now been installed in the Valley.

“It is time for prosecutions with vehicles being seized and these people being made an example of."

Mark Widdup, Director of Neighbourhoods at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Unfortunately, not all recorded incidents will be formally investigated, as we can only take action if we can identify the perpetrator from the rubbish we find, which, particularly in the case of littering, is very difficult. This is an issue that all councils face.

“It’s important that the public also play their part, by disposing of their bulky items and rubbish properly, and by continuing to report these issues to us. In return, we’ll be stepping up our efforts to tackle this issue with a series of new measures later this year, including an increased enforcement presence.”