A Surrey council is losing the battle against fly-tippers despite “doing what it can”, its scrutiny committee has heard.<\/p>\n
Runnymede Borough Council (RBC) has seen illegal dumping increase by more than a third in the last three years, rising from 1,363 reports in 2023-24 to 1,871 in 2025-26.<\/p>\n
This year has seen 487 reports so far, putting it on track to reach 1,948, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service<\/a>.<\/p>\n At a meeting held this week, committee chair Councillor Shannon Saise-Marshall urged people to “report, report, report – because that is the only way we are going to fix the problem”.<\/p>\n Providing what it calls “a multi-agency response to tackle the scourge”, RBC provides collection and enforcement services, the Surrey Environmental Partnership offers strategy and education, while Surrey Police assists with enforcement, particularly in vehicle-related investigations. <\/p>\n Large-scale fly-tipping and hazardous waste are handled by the Environment Agency, which can be expensive and take longer.<\/p>\n Officers said investigations could also be “hindered by a reluctance on the part of witnesses and complainants to provide formal statements”.<\/p>\n In addition, “some vehicles used in offending are unregistered or linked to false names and addresses, further complicating offender identification”.<\/p>\n Other negative factors quoted were the “significant” amount of time and resources required to monitor CCTV and a “high evidentiary bar” when it came to bringing about successful prosecutions. <\/p>\n Saise-Marshall added that residents should “go on the council website or FixMyStreet” to report any instances of fly-tipping.<\/p>\n “Please don’t try via Facebook because this council does not do it that way,” she added.<\/p>\n Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, external<\/a>, X, external<\/a>, and Instagram, external<\/a> and listen to BBC Radio Surrey on Sounds<\/a>. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk , external<\/a>or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.<\/p>\n