COTSWOLD District Council is increasing the upper limit of fixed penalty notices for crimes such as fly-tipping, littering and graffiti.

The Council has accepted the proposal from the Government to increase the upper limits for various fixed penalty notices (FPNs). 

This means that within Cotswold District:

The maximum fine for fly-tipping will increase from £400 to £1,000

The maximum fine for litter or graffiti will increase from £150 to £500

The maximum fine those who breach their household waste duty of care will increase from £400 to £600. 

As part of the Council’s commitment to clamp down on fly-tipping in the district, cameras have been installed in fly-tipping hotspots to capture any illegal activity such as a vehicle dumping waste. 

The Council have carried out multiple Stop and Search operations this year to advise traders of their trading responsibilities and to stop waste being fly-tipped or entering the domestic waste stream incorrectly.

Robert Weaver, Chief Executive of Cotswold District Council, said, “I’m pleased we have taken the decision to increase FPN in our district in line with the Government's proposals.

“Being a rural district, we are subject to a lot of criminal behaviour including fly-tipping and littering.

"We have already been working hard to tackle fly-tipping by carrying out Stop and Search operations as well as installing cameras in fly-tipping hotspots.

“It’s so important for residents to remember their duty of care when paying someone to remove their waste.

"You must ask for their waste carriers license and waste transfer notes, otherwise you may find yourself with a hefty fine.

“The increase in FPN will hopefully deter people from committing these waste crimes in future as an offence will end up costing much more.”