ACROSS a four year spell 14,821 fly-tipping incidents were reported to Fife Council but none of them ended up in court action being taken.

The local authority confirmed that no cases were referred to the Procurator Fiscal between 2019 and 2023 and just two per cent (284) resulted in a fixed penalty notice being issued.

These statistics were revealed in a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Scottish Liberal Democrats to Fife Council.

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Dawn Jamieson, safer communities service manager, said: "Fife Council will investigate all reports of fly-tipping, and where evidence allows will consider what action can be taken against the individual responsible – this could be education through engagement and the issuing of warnings, or the issuing of a fixed penalty notice. 

"Referring a case to the Procurator Fiscal would be the last resort where other options have been considered not appropriate or as an escalation for repeat offenders. 

"In order for the fiscal to consider pursuing a case for fly-tipping offences, corroboration is required in relation to the incident, for example; an admission of guilt or an independent witness to the offence taking place. 

"The nature of the offence means this type of evidence is often not available." 

She continued: "We have increased targeted patrols in known hot spot areas in order to monitor and act as a deterrent, erecting signage where appropriate. 

"We continue to engage with the public to encourage reporting of illegally dumped waste, and promote campaigns through social media channels as well as supporting the efforts of community based litter picking volunteers and have invested in CCTV.”

At the start of the year, the Press reported that fines for illegal dumping would more than double to £500. This was part of the Scottish Government’s six-year National Litter and Fly-tipping Strategy.

Fife Lib Dem MP Wendy Chamberlain said: "I am relieved that, after years of pressure from the Liberal Democrats, the government has finally increased the level of fines available.

"However, there is a still a fundamental unfairness in the system which leaves farmers and other property owners with the responsibility for cleaning up waste dumped on their properties.

“More needs to be done to clamp down on this behaviour and ensure that repeat offenders face consequences for their actions."

Ms Jamieson added: "There's no excuse for fly-tipping, which is a blatant disregard of the law and of our outdoor environment. No one wants to see rubbish dumped and it has a direct impact on the condition of our roads, parks, wildlife and communities. 

"Our recycling centres are open and we would urge people to make use of these facilities and dispose of recyclable waste responsibly.

"Please also check that anyone you ask to take your waste away is properly registered to do so. Businesses have a legal duty to dispose of their waste responsibly.  

"We're grateful to the people of Fife for reporting fly tipping and urge them to keep doing so using our online form at www.fife.gov.uk/flytipping".