26 million incidents, government data shows. Household waste accounted for 62% of these illegal dumps, and over a third occurred on pavements and roadsides. The scale of waste dumped illegally was substantial, with the most common amount equivalent to a small van load, according to government data.
About 52,000 incidents, or 4% of the total, involved 'tipper lorry load' size or larger, marking an 11% increase from the previous year. uk analysis found. uk, described hazardous waste as particularly concerning due to its toxic materials, which can contaminate soil and water and pose safety risks.
London bore a disproportionate impact, with eight of the top 10 areas in England for fly-tipping incidents located in the capital, government data indicates. Croydon had the most incidents in London at 53,268, while Merton recorded 1,500 large-scale fly-tipping incidents, a 101% increase from 2023-24. 23 million in clean-up costs in 2024-25.
Councils in London made 230,948 enforcement actions that year, including issuing 49,915 fixed penalties and collecting £83,292 in fines. It remains unclear what specific enforcement actions were most effective in reducing fly-tipping in areas like Croydon, or what measures are being taken to address hazardous waste hotspots like Haringey. The reasons for the sharp increase in large-scale fly-tipping in Merton are also unknown, as are the overall costs to councils in England and the percentage of incidents resulting in prosecutions or successful fines.