FLYTIPPING is one of our biggest bugbears as it ruins our beauty spots and countryside.

And dumping rubbish illegally in Bracknell Forest means you're more likely to get away with no punishment, according to new data.

The Local Government Association has warned that nationally the offence costs taxpayers almost £50 million a year to clear up.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs data shows 604 fly-tipping incidents were reported to Bracknell Forest Council in 2019-20.

Out of these incidents, fixed penalty notices were issued zero times showing how more could be done to tackle the issue.

The figures refer to 2019/20 and showed and placed the borough behind the average for the whole of England for enforcement.

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Bracknell News: Photo by PA Photo by PA

Only 1.38 per cent of more than 975,000 incidents nationally resulted in fixed penalty notices.

Fly-tipping incidents in the Bracknell borough in that time included piles of garden waste strewn across a road in Crowthorne. 

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Ray Pope spotted the fly-tipping waste blocking off Honey Hill road.

In terms of fines issued for fly-tipping in Bracknell, no incidents resulting in Fixed Penalty Notices.

Fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence. It carries a fine of up to £20,000 and you can even be sent to prison.

It is also an offence to allow fly-tipping if you know it’s going on and the police have the power to seize vehicles used for fly-tipping.

If you allow your car or vehicle to be used for fly-tipping, even if you are not driving yourself, you can still be prosecuted. 

Fly-tipping should be reported to the local council or the Environment Agency.

Reporting to the Police should only be where large scale illegal dumping or hazardous waste is involved.

Bracknell Forest Council has been contacted for a comment.