Fake Fly-Tip at Golitha Falls Shocks Visitors to Raise Awareness

A fake fly-tip was set up at Golitha Falls, near Liskeard, on Thursday 6th November to highlight the growing problem of illegal dumping across Cornwall.

Raising Awareness at a Cornish Beauty Spot

Cornwall Council organised the staged fly-tip to show the damage fly-tipping causes to the countryside. Representatives from the Council’s Community Protection and Trading Standards teams were joined by the Environment Agency, Devon and Cornwall Police’s Rural Affairs team, the NFU and Clean Cornwall.

They spoke to visitors at the popular beauty spot about the impact of fly-tipping and how residents can help tackle the issue.

Thousands of Cases Costing Hundreds of Thousands

In 2023/2024, Cornwall Council recorded 3,655 incidents of fly-tipping. Clearing up the dumped waste from public land cost more than £450,000.

Sarah-Jane Brown, Group Leader for Community Protection at Cornwall Council, said:
“Fly-tipping causes significant harm in rural communities. Dumped waste can damage wildlife habitats, pollute waterways, and harm livestock. It also blights the countryside, spoiling Cornwall’s natural beauty and creating costly and time-consuming clean-ups for landowners and the Council.
“We all have a responsibility to keep Cornwall clean and safe.”

Police Warning to Fly-Tippers

PC Clarke Orchard, Rural Affairs Officer at Devon and Cornwall Police, said:
“Not only is fly-tipping an eyesore, but with it comes a wealth of environmental consequences and financial implications; all of which cause harm in our communities.
“This is a selfish offence and one that blights our beautiful landscape and countryside. We will continue to work closely with our local partners across Devon and Cornwall to support educational events to raise awareness of this issue as well as targeted operations to identify those responsible.
“Whether you report fly-tipping when you see it or disposing of your waste correctly, we all have an important part to play in tackling this issue.
“If you fly-tip, your actions can have huge implications on wildlife, waterways and the wider community, including farmers and landowners. So please, stop and think twice.”

Heavy Fines and Prison for Offenders

Fly-tipping is a serious offence. Offenders can face Fixed Penalty Notices of up to £1,000 for large-scale or hazardous dumping and £500 for smaller incidents.
In the most serious cases, prosecution through the courts can lead to unlimited fines or imprisonment for up to five years. Vehicles used to dump waste may be seized and destroyed, and offenders can be ordered to cover clean-up and legal costs.

📷Fake fly-tip at Golitha Falls.

Residents Urged to Check Waste Carriers

Steve Clark, Waste Team Leader for Cornwall at the Environment Agency, said:
“If you’re paying someone to take waste away, which could be a tradesperson or a man with a van, make sure they are a registered waste carrier.
“We have a public register on the Environment Agency website so anyone can do a quick search and check if the individual or company is legitimate.”

Councillor Thalia Marrington, cabinet member with responsibility for Community Safety and Public Protection, added:
“It’s great to see agencies working together to tackle this issue, which costs taxpayers and landowners significant amounts of money.
“We urge people to dispose of their waste responsibly and I’d also encourage anyone with evidence relating to incidents of fly-tipping to report it to the Council so we can investigate.”

📷Eepresentatives from the Environment Agency, Cornwall Council and Devon and Cornwall Police.

How to Report Fly-Tipping

Anyone who sees fly-tipped waste on public land can report it at Cornwall Council’s website and upload evidence such as photos or videos to help identify those responsible.

If a fly-tip is obstructing a road, report it to the Police by calling 999.
Fly-tips can also be reported anonymously through Crimestoppers or by calling 0800 555 111.

Businesses of all sizes must use a licensed waste carrier for commercial waste.
More advice for businesses can be found on the Cornwall Council website

📷Fake fly-tip at Golitha Falls.