Our rural district areas are remote, beautiful and peaceful but these features also make them vulnerable to fly-tipping with our farmers and landowners facing disposal costs of thousands of pounds and the inconvenience whilst the area cannot be used. Our wildlife and eco-systems face contamination and sometimes, long-term damage.

The Councils alongside police and the Environment Agency are keen to work with famers and landowners to investigate and bring to justice those who commit these crimes. Please help us by:

• Reporting all fly‑tipping to the local council promptly. Quick reporting helps us understand hotspots and allocate resources more effectively.
• Keeping a log of incidents, including dates, photos, and any identifying details.

Below are just some methods you can use to make your land less vulnerable to fly-tipping:

Secure access to land (“target hardening”)

• Install gates, barriers or bollards to restrict vehicle access.
• Strengthen existing entry points and ensure gates are kept locked.
• Use sturdy fencing where practical.
• Consider bunding (earth mounds) or large rocks to prevent vehicle entry.

Before installing any target hardening measures, please read planning application advice on our website or contact the Planning Department direct for advice on whether measures are within permitted development or if a planning application would be required.

Improve surveillance and visibility

• Trim back vegetation to improve natural surveillance.
• Install motion‑activated cameras or trail cameras.
• Place cameras at choke points rather than large open areas.
• Visit remote areas regularly and keep notes of date and time you visit – this helps narrow down timescales if fly-tipping is found

Use clear, visible deterrent signage

• Install “No Fly tipping / surveillance in Operation / Offenders Will Be Prosecuted” signs at entrances and vulnerable locations.
• Signage as a simple but effective preventative measure for private landowners.
• Refresh signs regularly so they don't appear neglected.

· The council may be able to assist with the provision of signage, or provision of template signage designs, and information on where signage can be printed and purchased.

Report and record all incidents

• Report all fly‑tipping to the local council promptly.
• Keep a log of incidents, including dates, photos, and any identifying details.
• Quick reporting helps local enforcement teams understand hotspots and allocate resources effectively.

Remove waste promptly

• Leaving waste in place can encourage more dumping.
• Slow removal can unintentionally normalise fly‑tipping.
• Use licensed waste carriers only (to avoid waste‑duty liabilities).

Work with neighbours and local networks

• Coordinate with neighbouring landowners to secure borders consistently.
• Attend or initiate local action groups (Parish Council, Countryside Watch, (CLA). Your Action Plan encourages community‑based prevention measures and local action groups.

Use physical and environmental design approaches

• Improve lighting where appropriate – consider motion activated solar powered lights
• Block unused tracks and gateways.
• Place visible “legitimate use” features (e.g., grazing animals, regular activity) to show the land is monitored and active.

Seek advice from the Council’s environmental enforcement team

• The Environmental Enforcement Team can provide advice to landowners, including site visits and tailored prevention recommendations.