Bracknell Forest Council have agreed to double the penalty for fly-tipping following an increase in incidents across the borough.

The £200 fine will increase to £400 and come into effect on January 2, 2024. The money will be used to help tackle further offending for waste-related crimes.

The new penalty will also apply to anyone in control of a vehicle who allows that vehicle to be used for fly-tipping.

The Section 34 ‘duty of care’ offence penalty has also been increased from £200 to £300.

This applies when someone allows someone unlicenced to remove or carry waste to do so.

Cllr Iskander Jefferies said, “The increase in penalties is part of a package of measures that includes public information and engagement, CCTV and of course enforcement.

"Our aim is to send a clear message to this involved in this criminal behaviour that we take fly-tipping and the failure to ensure your waste is disposed of correctly, very seriously.

"This behaviour damages our environment and leaves law abiding residents with the clean-up bill’.

"Residents need to take steps to ensure their waste is disposed of correctly. This includes simple steps such ensuring that those you pay to remove your waste hold the relevant licences and leave the relevant documentation."

In some cases, fly-tipping can also be prosecuted in the criminal courts and those convicted can face unlimited fines, or in the case of offences under Section 33 up to two years imprisonment.