Fly tipping has caused tensions to rise among residents and businesses recently.

Abingdon resident David Hutchins shared a picture of mattresses and other waste items being dumped in Green Lane, Bayworth while suggesting this isn’t the first time he has seen this happen.

Mr. Hutchins believes this is a result of people having to pay for recycling services introduced by the County Council, along with a lack of consequences for those that do this.

He said: “I think generally fly tipping had increased with the lockdown we've had but there isn't any excuse to do this now.

“I understand that people are being charged to take certain types of rubbish to recycling centres now which isn't going to help stop it.

“I guess if the prosecution rate was higher and published then that could reduce the amount of fly tipping but it will never stop completely.”

Meanwhile another resident, Gill Robinson, suggested investment in CCTV cameras and enforcing heavy fines on rule-breakers by the Sentencing Council to prevent such situations from arising in the future.

Oxford Mail: Business waste near a block of flatsBusiness waste near a block of flats

These thoughts are echoed by The Country Land & Business Association (CLA), who together with over 150 local authorities and 10 professional bodies, is calling on the Sentencing Council to impose tougher fines and sentences for fly-tipping culprits.

The CLA is asking the Sentencing Council to consider changes that would mean:

• Court fines would exceed the cost of Fixed Penalty Notice fines and to include costs incurred by the public purse and the police in bringing a fly-tipper to court.

• Costs related to the clean-up of fly-tipping on private land and restoration of that land would be included in fines paid by those who are prosecuted.

• If a defendant cannot pay the fine in full, or in part, it is strongly recommended that community-based sentences are more widely used and available across all offence categories.

• More use of suspended prison sentences which has been proven to be a strong deterrent to serial fly-tipping offenders in Buckinghamshire

• Anyone convicted of a second fly-tipping offence is given a custodial sentence rather than another suspended sentence.

Regional Director of CLA, Michael Valenzia said that fly-tipping disrupts the life of residents and businesses in the countryside and there is significant progress that needs to be made to stop it.

He added: “It’s not just the odd bin bag but large household items, from unwanted sofas to broken washing machines, building materials and even asbestos being dumped across our countryside.

“Currently, the maximum fine is £50,000 or 12 months’ imprisonment if convicted in a Magistrates' Court – but this is seldom enforced.

“Cracking down on this type of crime will only be achieved if tougher fines are imposed. This is why it’s crucial that the Sentencing Council listens to our concerns, and the signatories of the letter, to ensure the offenders are brought to justice.”

The Vale of White Horse District Council has said they encourage any resident who spots any fly-tipping to report it to them via their website.