Increased penalties for flytippers

Flytippers beware! At long last, Gateshead Council is to take action to tackle the scourge of illegal dumping of waste in public places by using new powers to fine offenders.

Anyone caught flytipping now faces a fixed penalty fine of £400. Fines for dropping litter are doubling to £100.

“At last, strong action is being taken by Gateshead Council,” said Lib Dem campaigner in Birtley, Paul Elliott. “Hopefully this will help to put an end to the appalling actions of a small minority of people who think it’s fine to dump their rubbish on the rest of us.”

In 2015-16 there were 10702 incidents of flytipping in Gateshead leaving council tax payers with a £570,216 clean up bill.