New Fines and Deterrents Introduced in Sefton's War on Fly-Tipping
Sefton Council is further cracking down on fly-tipping with a combination of strong enforcement and preventative action.
The latest robust action includes fines, securing a prosecution, and installing new deterrents in known hotspots.
Over the past month, the Council has issued 11 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) also known as fines, for fly-tipping and related environmental offences, alongside successfully prosecuting a 55-year-old offender.
Most of these fines have already been paid within the required timeframe.
The Council’s Environmental Enforcement Team, which has almost tripled in size in recent months is working daily across the borough, responding to reports from residents and investigating illegal dumping. The team works closely with the council’s Waste Management and Street Cleansing teams to keep Sefton’s streets cleaner together.
The council has invested an extra £1million in clean streets, and its work tackling fly-tipping has won national recognition.
Action Taken Across the Borough
The 11 fines were issued for dumped rubbish and duty of care offences at locations across the borough, including Sefton Road, Litherland, and Dean Street, Waterloo. In the Dean Street case, a large quantity of waste including a sofa, wooden bench, pieces of wood and cardboard boxes were illegally dumped. The individual responsible was issued with a £500 fine, which has since been paid.
Further offences resulting in fines took place at locations including Mildmay Road, Bootle, Riverslea Road, Brighton-le-Sands, Jubilee Road, Crosby, Houghton Street, Southport, and Rossini Street, Seaforth. Preventing Repeat Offending
The Council’s enforcement action has included the installation of a new security fence at a known fly-tipping hotspot on derelict land next to the former Muncaster Arms pub in Irlam Road, Bootle, in May. Working with a specialist contractor Oculus Group, the secure, padlocked barrier has been put in place to prevent further illegal dumping and act as a strong visual deterrent.
Prior to installation, the privately-owned site was cleared, and four further Fixed Penalty Notices were issued to offenders linked to waste dumped and duty of care offences at the location.
Find out more about the fence by reading the contractor’s case study at: www.oculusfm.co.uk/case-studies
Successful Prosecution
In a separate case, Alan Pilkington, 55, from Bootle, was successfully prosecuted after fly-tipping rubbish in an alleyway. Council officers investigated the rubbish and traced it directly back to him.
Although the offence took place in 2024, the Council was determined to hold Pilkington to account and pursued the case to court, where Pilkington pleaded guilty. He was ordered to pay more than £500.
A fly-tipping conviction has wider consequences, including the requirement to declare offences to future employers.
‘No-Nonsense’ Approach'
Councillor Peter Harvey, Cabinet Member for Cleansing and Street Scene, said:
“We are delivering on our promise to fight fly-tipping and create cleaner, greener streets and public spaces. This prosecution, fines and installation of the fence highlight the no-nonsense approach taken by our expanded Environmental Enforcement Team, as well as the vital role our residents and partners play in helping us tackle fly-tipping.
“If you dump rubbish in Sefton, you risk being hit with a fine or even court action. This is the price offenders will pay for damaging our environment and our community.
“We have recently increased our maximum penalty for fly-tipping from £400 to £1,000. Fly-tipping is selfish, unacceptable and we will always pursue those responsible using the full extent of our powers.
“Those who refuse to take responsibility and pay up can expect to face court as this latest prosecution shows.”
Warning About Rogue Waste Operators
The Council is also urging residents to be cautious of rogue waste carriers offering cheap deals, often via social media, who then illegally dump rubbish.
Residents can avoid a #RubbishDeal by taking three simple steps:
Ask for a waste carrier registration number
Check it on the Environment Agency register: environment.data.gov.uk or call 0300 065 3000
Ensure you receive a receipt
Report Fly-Tipping
Sefton Council is encouraging residents to continue reporting fly-tipping incidents at:
www.sefton.gov.uk/bins
Further enforcement outcomes and penalties will be published as additional cases progress through the courts.
ENDS