CALLS have been made for “bigger fines” as fly-tipping in Basildon is on the rise, according to new figures.

Experts have called on the Government to review sentencing guidelines, introduce bigger fines and “even jail ‘professional fly-tippers’ when they are caught”.

Figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs show there were 4,119 fly-tipping incidents in Basildon in the year to March 2023.

This was an increase of 12 per cent from 3,682 in 2021-22. This meant there were 21.8 incidents per 1,000 people in the area.

In Basildon, most fly-tipped waste was discovered on council land, accounting for 49 per cent of recorded incidents. This was followed by 40 per cent on highways.

The largest proportion of discarded waste was household waste, making up 71 per cent of all incidents.

The number of fixed penalty notices issued across the country fell from 91,000 in 2021-22 to 73,000 in 2022-23, with 364 in Basildon.

In Basildon, £3,537 was paid by those found guilty of fly-tipping.

Across England, local authorities dealt with slightly fewer incidents in 2022-23 – 1.08 million compared with 1.09 million in 2021-22.

However, environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy warned the number of “tipper lorry load” size or larger incidents has increased by 13 per cent.

Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: “It is time for the public and our justice system to say ‘enough is enough’ and tackle the selfish vandals who are trashing our environment for profit.

“The public can play their part by ensuring that they only give their unwanted ‘stuff’ to reputable, licensed waste carriers who will dispose of it correctly and the courts must help by using the considerable sentencing powers they have to order hefty fines and even jail ‘professional fly-tippers’ when they are caught.

“Environmental crime is not a victimless crime – we are all victims of it.”