There were 4,318 incidents recorded in 2023/24, a 19 per cent rise from 3,633 cases the year before.
The latest figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) also show that councils across England dealt with a record 1.15 million fly-tipping incidents, marking a six per cent increase nationally.
Most of the fly-tipping incidents in Bexley took place on highways, with 3,898 cases recorded. Other areas affected included:
- Council land – 274 incidents
- Footpaths and bridleways – 49 incidents
- Back alleyways – 29 incidents
- Railway land – 1 incident
- Private/residential property – 50 incidents
- Commercial/industrial land – 6 incidents
- Watercourse/bank – 11 incidents
More than 60 per cent of fly-tipping incidents nationwide involved household waste, and Bexley followed a similar pattern. The most common types of dumped waste in the borough included:
- Black bin bags from households – 2,395 incidents
- General household waste – 605 incidents
- Single items (e.g. furniture, mattresses) – 537 incidents
- White goods (e.g. fridges, washing machines) – 277 incidents
- Vehicle parts – 20 incidents
- Green waste – 11 incidents
- Construction, demolition, and excavation waste – 81 incidents
- Tyres – 34 incidents
- Electrical waste – 93 incidents
- Clinical waste – 2 incidents
- Animal carcasses – 1 incident
Fly-tipping has been steadily rising in Bexley over the last decade. In 2012/13, there were just 1,038 incidents, but numbers have grown year after year.
By 2019/20, cases had reached 2,552, before peaking at 5,684 in 2020/21 during the pandemic.
While numbers dipped in 2022/23 to 3,633, they have now risen again, with 4,318 incidents recorded in 2023/24.
With rising penalties and tougher enforcement, the council hopes to bring these numbers down, but for now, fly-tipping remains a serious and costly issue in Bexley.
Fly-tipping is a criminal offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and those caught can face fines of up to £50,000 or even a prison sentence.
Bexley council announced that fines for fly-tipping in the borough increased to a maximum fee of £1,000 last May.
Residents are encouraged to report fly-tipping by providing details such as vehicle registration numbers, descriptions of those involved, and the exact location of the waste. Reports can be made:
- Online – by entering a postcode or street name on the council’s website
- By phone – calling 020 8303 7777
- By email – Customer.Services@bexley.gov.uk
