FLY TIPPING and other waste has a negative impact on community spirit and quality of life across the West Midlands.
According to YouGov research commissioned by the charity Crimestoppers more than half of people in the region said waste crime negatively affects quality of life in their local community, and 51 per said said they have noticed fly-tipped household or commercial waste in their area in the past year.
It revealed residents are likely to connect waste crime with wider damage to their communities.
Nearly two-thirds associate it with environmental damage, 58 per cent link it to a decline in local pride or community spirit and 48 per cent agree it makes their local area feel unsafe.
Crimestoppers has launched a national campaign in partnership with Defra and the Environment Agency urging the public to share information anonymously about illegal dumping, unregulated waste sites and other waste crime. Speaking up can help protect communities and the environment from further harm.
Kate Johnston, from the independent charity Crimestoppers said: “Waste crime is not a harmless crime. It is often driven by organised crime gangs making huge profits at the expense of our communities and environment.
“The fact that so many people are seeing this in their local area shows just how widespread the issue has become.
“We know that people may feel unsure about reporting what they’ve seen or worry about repercussions. That’s why our charity exists. We give people a safe anonymous way to speak up about those people harming our environment. The information we pass on could help stop the waste criminals and prevent large-scale waste dumping before it happens.”
Philip Duffy, chief executive of the Environment Agency, said: “Waste criminals are motivated by profit, with little regard for the impact their actions have on local communities and the environment.
“Our 10-point plan to tackle waste crime is strengthening enforcement, disrupting criminal activity and supporting legitimate operators, but intelligence from the public remains vital.
“We have seen how members of the public often have valuable information about suspicious activity but feel unable to come forward. Through our Crimestoppers campaign, people can report concerns completely anonymously, helping us gather intelligence that will bring offenders to justice.”
