FLY-TIPPING reports in Bradford have risen dramatically in a year, according to the latest Government figures.

The data shows that in the 12 months to the end of March there were a total of 14,317 reports of fly-tipping incidents across the district – a jump of 17.4 per cent on the previous year.

This places Bradford second only to Leeds in the region for the number of incidents reported - and above other large cities such as Sheffield.

Footpaths and bridleways were the worst hit, with 6,579 of the incidents reported, while highways accounted for 3,021, and back alleyways for 2,001.

The cost of clearing up fly-tipping was not available for 2017/18, but the figure for the previous year had hit £743,017, having increased by 85 per cent over the preceding five years.

Bradford Council investigated 1,670 complaints over fly-tipping last year, which was a drop on the previous year of 14.6 per cent. In addition 896 warning letters were handed out and 377 statutory notices issued.

There were eight fixed penalty notices specifically for fly-tipping in 2017/18, a measure which was introduced in 2016, giving authorities the power to issue on-spot-fines. In the last two years there have been 37 prosecutions and eight formal cautions for fly-tipping.

The Council has reiterated that these figures show the number of reports, not the number of incidents and that Bradford has a similar rate per head of population to other local authorities in the areas.

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Recent shocking examples of fly-tipping include a huge pile of rubbish blocking an entire road. The mass of household waste, soil, bin bags a a wheel were found on New Lane in Tong last week.

Police were called to re-direct motorists and Council workers were able to clear up the mess the same day.

Earlier this week more than 100 tyres were dumped on moorland above Haworth in another brazen fly-tipping incident.

Councillor Rebecca Poulson told the Telegraph & Argus that a local resident spotted the giant pile of tyres at Penistone Hill Country Park while walking her dog on Sunday.

“It was an atrocious example of fly-tipping - there were 156 car tyres in total. I counted them as the Council’s countryside officers cleared them away.

“But I was able to speak to a local farmer who could make use of them to weigh down his silage, and the Council was able to transport them to his farm in Oxenhope as a solution.”

She added: “I think we should have a zero tolerance approach to fly-tipping, but this needs to be combined with making it easy for people to recycle and reuse things.”

A spokesperson for the Council said: “As the figures show, fly-tipping is a national problem which has been on the rise for many years.

“Each local authority has had to face an increase in this criminal activity which causes damage to the local environment and a growing burden on the Council Tax payer in the cost of clearing it up.

“The figures show that the number of reported fly-tips per 1,000 head of population in Bradford is 26.8, which is similar to other local authorities in Yorkshire.

“Because of multiple reporting, the number of actual incidents of fly-tipping may be lower than the figures suggest.

“Bradford Council employs a range of measures to tackle fly-tipping including CCTV cameras to catch the culprits and seizing vehicles known to be involved in fly-tipping.

“Since April 2016, there have been 74 Prosecutions, including formal cautions, for waste offences, including fly-tipping. Bradford Council has also issued 56 Fixed Penalty Notices of £400 for fly-tipping offences and seized three vans.

“We need people to help us in our battle against this menace. If you see fly-tipping taking place, please note down as many details as possible, including vehicle licence plate numbers and inform the Council.”