Tougher fines for environmental crimes
Fly-tippers who spoil the local environment for others are now facing tougher fines showing everyone that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.
Gateshead Council agreed, in September last year, to significantly increase fines for environmental crimes such as fly-tipping, littering and graffiti. Last week the first £1,000 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) was issued and paid by a resident caught fly-tipping.
This week another Gateshead man was fined in the Magistrates' Court after illegally dumping a large pile of waste on council land at Lindisfarne Drive, on the Chandless Estate. Evidence linked the waste to an address in Newcastle. Investigations established that Abiola Abiodun, from Bensham, had been employed to clear the waste.
Mr Abiodun, who initially denied knowledge, later pleaded guilty in court. The court ordered him to pay a £1,147 fine, £797 costs and compensation of £162.
Councillor John McElroy, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said:
"Environmental crimes are bad for local communities - attracting further crime, making people feel less safe and ultimately undermining pride in the area.
"We spend over £400,000 a year removing and disposing of fly-tipping alone. This is unacceptable as this is money we could spend on other improvements and services in Gateshead. We will continue to take tough action against these crimes
"For those who do help to look after their local area - thank you, by working together we can all love living in Gateshead and we will keep doing everything we can to keep our streets as clean as possible."
Fines for FPNs are determined by local authorities and have been set in Gateshead at the maximum amount for fly-tipping of £1,000. If someone does not pay their FPN the council can prosecute where the Magistrates Court will determine the outcome.
Gateshead Council invested an additional £2m in environmental services in 2023/24 and this funding has been maintained since with a further £1m being invested during this financial year. The investment has been used to recruit additional staff and new/different machinery.
Illegal dumping is a criminal offence that can result in fines, legal action, and the seizure of vehicles involved.
Fly-tippers who spoil the local environment for others are now facing tougher fines showing everyone that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.
Gateshead Council agreed, in September last year, to significantly increase fines for environmental crimes such as fly-tipping, littering and graffiti. Last week the first £1,000 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) was issued and paid by a resident caught fly-tipping.
This week another Gateshead man was fined in the Magistrates' Court after illegally dumping a large pile of waste on council land at Lindisfarne Drive, on the Chandless Estate. Evidence linked the waste to an address in Newcastle. Investigations established that Abiola Abiodun, from Bensham, had been employed to clear the waste.
Mr Abiodun, who initially denied knowledge, later pleaded guilty in court. The court ordered him to pay a £1,147 fine, £797 costs and compensation of £162.
Councillor John McElroy, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said:
"Environmental crimes are bad for local communities - attracting further crime, making people feel less safe and ultimately undermining pride in the area.
"We spend over £400,000 a year removing and disposing of fly-tipping alone. This is unacceptable as this is money we could spend on other improvements and services in Gateshead. We will continue to take tough action against these crimes
"For those who do help to look after their local area - thank you, by working together we can all love living in Gateshead and we will keep doing everything we can to keep our streets as clean as possible."
Fines for FPNs are determined by local authorities and have been set in Gateshead at the maximum amount for fly-tipping of £1,000. If someone does not pay their FPN the council can prosecute where the Magistrates Court will determine the outcome.
Gateshead Council invested an additional £2m in environmental services in 2023/24 and this funding has been maintained since with a further £1m being invested during this financial year. The investment has been used to recruit additional staff and new/different machinery.
Illegal dumping is a criminal offence that can result in fines, legal action, and the seizure of vehicles involved.
