(2) how many incidents of fly-tipping were reported in each local authority in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what the estimated cost was of dealing with such incidents.
I am arranging for the data requested to be placed in the Library of the House.
Data on the number of incidents of fly-tipping and the number of prosecutions taken by local authorities against fly-tippers are currently available for the last four years only.
DEFRA's Flycapture system started collecting data on the number of incidents cleared and enforcement actions taken by local authorities in 2004.
The estimated cost of clearing fly-tipped waste shown in these tables does not necessarily reflect the cost to the taxpayer as some authorities have structured their service contracts to include the cost of clearing fly-tipped waste.
Prosecution is only one of a number of enforcement actions that local authorities can use against fly-tippers. Warning letters, statutory notices, formal cautions and injunctions are also used where appropriate.