General · 6 March 2026
Courts fine fly-tippers less than councils for same offense
The Local Government Association has called for an urgent review of sentencing guidelines after data showed courts are fining fly-tippers an average of £539 — £87 less than the £626 councils can issue directly as a fixed penalty notice. England recorded 1.26 million fly-tipping incidents in 2024/25. The LGA says penalties are out of step with the harm caused and fail to deter repeat and organised offenders.
Reported by Sky News · How we write briefs