Redbridge introduces tougher sanctions against grime crime offenders in the borough

Community support for tougher action against fly-tippers has triggered steeper penalties for those caught making a mess in Redbridge.

Anyone caught dumping their rubbish in the borough now faces a £1000 on the spot fine for fly-tipping.

The council is introducing the hard-hitting fine following a change to legislation last year, and in response to feedback from local people.

A recent boroughwide survey revealed that clean and tidy neighbourhoods, and tougher action for fly-tipping were among the top priorities for local people. The responses were collated from Redbridge Council’s boroughwide Budget Survey 2024/25.

As part of the drive towards creating a cleaner Redbridge, £200 on the spot fines for littering, and £500 on the spot fines for graffiti or flyposting are also on the cards for anyone caught committing these offences.

The series of new fines comes into effect from today (Thursday 1 February) and is aimed at deterring people from harming public spaces and ensuring that those who continue to pollute our streets with fly-tips or litter face tougher consequences.

Redbridge Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, Cllr Khayer Chowdhury, said: “Dumping rubbish and wrecking our environment is a criminal offence, and we won’t tolerate it as a community. We know local people want us to take a strong stance against fly-tipping and other environmental crimes so we’re introducing steeper fines as a deterrent, alongside court prosecutions and other initiatives to help keep the borough clean and tidy.”

If you spot a fly-tip in the borough you can easily report it online through the council’s Report It page:  https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/report-it/

All fly tips made known to the council are recorded and investigated, with enforcement action being taken if evidence is found. The council aims to clear all recorded fly-tips on council land and the highway within 24 hours of it being reported. You can also submit evidence of perpetrators or their vehicles on our Report It page which will aid enforcement investigations.

Local householders are also being reminded not to fall foul of the law by taking steps to ensure anyone hired to remove waste from their property, including building waste, is authorised to do so with the correct Waste Carriers Licence.

Failure to do so could lead to a £600 fine if your waste is discovered fly-tipped and you cannot provide evidence of who you gave it to for removal or neglected to check if they had a valid Waste Carriers Licence.

If you are hiring a private contractor to remove household, garden, or construction waste from your property remember to:

• Check the individual or company being hired is registered with the Environment Agency and has a valid ‘Upper Tier’ Waste Carriers Licence. This can be done on: https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers

You can check using either their registration number, business name, or postcode, or call the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.

• Do research to find out if they are a genuine and reputable company or individual
• Check where they are proposing to take your waste
• Record the registration number of any vehicle removing waste from your home
• Pay by cheque, card or bank transfer as payments can be traced if the waste is fly tipped. If they insist on cash refuse their service
• Obtain a waste transfer note and a receipt for their service and keep it as proof.

The council offers a Bulky Waste Collection Service entitling residents to a free collection every 12 months (maximum of 3 items). For more details, including costs for additional collections go to: www.redbridge.gov.uk/bins-waste-and-recycling/book-a-bulky-waste-or-large-item-collection/