Calls for fly-tippers to be sentenced for 'blighting' rural and farming communities

With around two-thirds of UK farmers and landowners being subject to fly-tipping, is it time for offenders to receive more severe punishment?

Chris Brayford
clock • 7 min read
CLA rural adviser Jane Harrison said: "It [fly-tipping] blights rural communities, with many incidents going unrecorded on a mass scale. Offences on private land in particular are often not reported as many farmers have little faith in the ability of the police or council to deal with fly-tipped waste – which landowners then have to remove at their own cost."
Image:

CLA rural adviser Jane Harrison said: "It [fly-tipping] blights rural communities, with many incidents going unrecorded on a mass scale. Offences on private land in particular are often not reported as many farmers have little faith in the ability of the police or council to deal with fly-tipped waste – which landowners then have to remove at their own cost."

Rural businesses need greater protections to deal with the consequences of waste crime, according to politicians and farmers. Fly-tipping Labour MP for Lichfield Dave Robertson raised the issue during...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Rural crime

'Regain control of your farmyards' – Rural SafeGuard offers advice on preventing rural crime

'Regain control of your farmyards' – Rural SafeGuard offers advice on preventing rural crime

Rural areas are often heavily targeted when it comes to crime, which is why implementing preventative methods are the key to creating a safer and more cost effective workplace, says Rural SafeGuard

Mia Willemsen
clock 19 June 2026 • 2 min read
Farm shop staff facing verbal and physical abuse as retail crime hits 90% of businesses

Farm shop staff facing verbal and physical abuse as retail crime hits 90% of businesses

Latest figures show many stores targeted more than once a month

Jane Thynne
clock 15 June 2026 • 2 min read
Fly-tipping in rural areas: Illegal dumping has turned into a multi-million-pound criminal industry

Fly-tipping in rural areas: Illegal dumping has turned into a multi-million-pound criminal industry

New report warns current system is failing with victims left to pay the price

Alex Black
clock 04 June 2026 • 2 min read