West Oxfordshire District Council is stepping up enforcement to address environmental crimes and protect the countryside, with a focus on improving investigation capacity and deterrence.
Lidia Arciszewska, executive member for environment, said: “Fly-tipping will not be tolerated, and this investment makes clear that we are serious about tackling it head on.
“Increased funding means more staff, more patrols and more enforcement action against those who dump waste illegally and damage our environment.”
Between January and December 2025, the council received 1,754 reports of environmental offences, including fly-tipping, littering, and waste burning.
A total of 219 investigations led to 63 warnings and 55 fixed penalty notices.
As part of its budget plans, the council aims to create an additional post to support its environmental crime officer.
The move is intended to boost investigations, enable quicker response times, and increase visibility in known problem areas.
Councillor Arciszewska added: “However, preventing fly-tipping is not just about enforcement.
“Residents also have a legal duty of care to ensure their waste is passed only to authorised waste carriers.
“Using rogue operators may seem convenient, but it can have serious consequences, including fines or prosecution if that waste is later dumped illegally.
“By taking a few simple checks, residents can protect themselves and help keep West Oxfordshire clean and safe.”
Oxfordshire County Council recently introduced a booking system at Household Waste Recycling Centres.
West Oxfordshire District Council has said this must not be used as an excuse for fly-tipping.