Fly-tipped waste was discovered more than 1,000 times in Watford during a 12 month period.

Figures released on Tuesday, January 31, by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs revealed there were 1,342 fly-tipping incidents in the town from March 2021 to March 2022 – up from 1,260 for the same period a year earlier.

Of the discarded waste, 80 per cent was discovered on highways, and the largest proportion was household waste (57 per cent) followed by household black bin bags (19 per cent).

In Watford, four fixed penalty notices were issued last year, up from three in 2020-21.

Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said there had already been a decrease in fly-tipping cases and many more fines already issued for the same 2022 - 2023 period.

Outlining some ways the council plans to stop fly tipping, he said: “We have invested in four new CCTV cameras in hot spot areas across the town which will not only act as a deterrent but also provide video evidence of incidents making it easier to track and prosecute perpetrators.”

Watford Observer: Bushey fly tipping Bushey fly tipping (Image: FixMyStreet)

Mr Taylor said that efforts to stop people illegally dumping waste has resulted in incidents over the past 10 months decreasing.

In the same period, 29 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued, he said.  

He added: “Anti-social behaviour like this can also result in a prison sentence which we are happy to pursue and enforce – we have zero tolerance when it comes to fly-tipping.”