BRADFORD’S fly-tipping hotspots have been revealed as calls are made for more to be done to crack down on the problem causing “misery” for residents. 

Data released through a Freedom of Information request by the Bradford District Green Party has revealed the scale of the problem. 

When looking at figures for 2018, 2019 and the first half of 2020, Little Horton ranks as the worst ward for fly-tipping, with a total of 2,260 cases reported in that time frame. 

This was followed by Bowling and Barkerend ward, with 1,704 cases; Tong with 1,589; Great Horton with 1,537 and Bradford Moor with 1,345. At the bottom of the list were Wharfedale, with 47 cases in the same period and Ilkley with 76.

The full list

1 = Little Horton (2260)
2 = Bowling & Barkerend (1704)
3 = Tong (1589)
4 = Great Horton (1537)
5 = Bradford Moor (1345)
6 = City (1250)
7 = Toller (1238)
8 = Manningham (1174)
9 = Keighley Central (771)
10 = Heaton (620)
11 = Eccleshill (567)
12 = Wibsey (535)
13 = Thornton & Allerton (526)
14 = Worth Valley (522)
15 = Royds (455)
16 = Queensbury (416)
17 = Clayton & Fairweather Green (412)
18 = Wyke (387)
19 = Keighley West (372)
20 = Bolton & Undercliffe (364)
21 = Shipley (334)
22 = Windhill & Wrose (280)
23 = Idle & Thackley (264)
24 = Bingley Rural (259)
25 = Baildon (216)
26 = Keighley East (205)
27 = Bingley (158)
28 = Craven (133)
29 = Ilkley (76)
30 = Wharfedale (47)

The scourge of fly-tipping has been highlighted in the Telegraph & Argus on many occasions, with recent incidents including piles of rubbish being dumped in Holme Wood and Bierley, as well as close to the Heaton Woods beauty spot. Last week, a pile of what appeared to be a broken up piece of furniture could be seen in the grounds of Horton Park. 

Matt Edwards, a Community Campaigner for the Green Party for the Tong ward, said the situation in the south of the city in particular “seems to be getting worse”.

“Fly tipping causes misery for people living by some of the worst hotspots and we have to make life as uncomfortable as possible for the people who dump rubbish in our local environment. We’ve got to be clear that this is not a victimless crime,” he said.

“Last year, Bradford Council approved the purchase of new surveillance cameras to help catch people fly tipping but from what I am told these can’t be used in some of the worst hot spots for a variety of reasons. I can’t say it any clearer, what Bradford Council are doing is not working. We need to try and look at doing something different if we want to get something done.”

A spokesperson for Bradford Council said: “We would not disclose in public the details of our surveillance camera operation as it would alert the criminals who are fly-tipping and make it more difficult to catch them.

"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. All incidents of fly-tipping are investigated by Bradford Council to try and identify anything among the rubbish which can indicate its source so we can take action.

"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. We have the power to issue Fixed Penalty Notices or to prosecute through Magistrates’ and Crown courts to fly-tippers and to householders who allow their goods to be fly-tipped by rogue traders.”

If rubbish is dumped on Bradford Council land, the Council will clear it up, but is not responsible for rubbish fly-tipped on private land.

People are urged to note down as many details as possible if they see it happening and report it by calling the Council on 01274 431000 or online at www.bradford.gov.uk