Wandsworth Council Steps Up Fly-tipping Enforcement

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Over six hundred fines issued in first half of this year

A recent flytip in the borough. Picture: Wandsworth Council

August 4, 2025

Wandsworth Council says it has significantly intensified its efforts to combat fly-tipping, issuing 623 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) in the first half of 2025.

These fines, which can reach up to £1,000 after councils were allowed to increase the amount charged, were levied against individuals found illegally dumping waste across the borough. Offences have ranged from abandoned household items such as mattresses and chairs left on residential streets, to more serious cases involving rubble, building materials, and industrial waste dumped in car parks and alleyways.

Under current legislation, small-scale fly-tipping can be punished with on-the-spot FPNs, while larger-scale offences may result in prosecution. In Magistrates’ Court, offenders can face fines of up to £50,000 and/or a 12-month prison sentence. For the most serious cases heard in Crown Court, penalties can include unlimited fines and prison terms of up to five years.

Paul White, Wandsworth’s Cabinet Member for Environment said, “We are serious about tackling illegal fly-tipping in Wandsworth,” he said. “I’m pleased to see that our diligent enforcement teams, which we have reinforced with additional staff, have identified culprits and issued FPNs in a swift manner.”

This enhanced enforcement strategy forms part of Wandsworth’s broader Cleaner Borough Plan, which aims to improve the borough’s environmental standards and public spaces. In response to resident feedback, the council has increased CCTV monitoring in known fly-tipping hotspots, enabling officers to catch offenders in the act. The plan also includes the retention of weekly waste and recycling collections, the expansion of popular Mega Skip Days, and a commitment to cleaner streets.

The borough’s Joint Control Centre at Wandsworth Town Hall plays a central role in this initiative, monitoring a network of 1,200 CCTV cameras. Recent funding has been secured to expand the centre’s capabilities, including extended monitoring hours and the introduction of mobile CCTV vans to enhance community safety and enforcement coverage.

In addition to enforcement, the council has reported progress in recycling. Over the past year, residents have helped collect more than 6,500 tonnes of additional recycling—equivalent to the weight of 400 double-decker buses. The council claims that this has generated cost savings of £1.3
million, which it plans to reinvest in further street cleaning and waste management services.

Historically, Wandsworth has maintained a relatively strong record in waste management compared to other London boroughs. Its recycling rates have consistently ranked among the higher performers, and its community engagement initiatives have been well received.

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