The Country Land and Business Association (CLA), together with over 150 local authorities and 10 professional bodies, is calling on the sentencing council to impose tougher fines and sentences for fly-tipping culprits.

As part of a proposed review of the Environmental Offences Definitive Guideline (2014), the CLA is calling for tougher action against those who commit this awful crime.

Currently, sentences handed down do not always match the severity of the offence committed or fairly reflect the costs incurred by the public purse.

This means that punishment for the offence of fly-tipping does not act as a suitable deterrent.

The CLA, along with the numerous supporting councils and professional bodies from across the UK, is asking the sentencing council to consider changes that would mean:

Mark Tufnell, deputy president of the CLA said:

“Fly-tipping continues to wreck the lives of many of us living and working in the countryside – and significant progress needs to be made to stop it.

“It’s not just the odd bin bag but large household items, from unwanted sofas to broken washing machines, building materials and even asbestos being dumped across our countryside.

“Currently, the maximum fine is £50,000 or 12 months’ imprisonment if convicted in a Magistrates' Court - but this is seldom enforced.

"This is why it’s crucial that the sentencing council listens to our concerns, and the signatories of the letter, to ensure the offenders are brought to justice."