Fly-tipping in Peterborough remains high post-Covid lockdown as 58 incidents investigated

The Peterborough Telegraph previously reported that in March this year there were 616 incidents in the city, with the number jumping to 764 in April.

And despite the easing of Covid restrictions and the re-opening of the Household Recycling Centre in Fengate the number of fly-tipping incidents remains stubbornly high.

In August, there were 777 reported incidents, although this was a significant drop on the figure of 950 in July.

Currently, the city’s Prevention and Enforcement Service (PES) is investigating 58 incidents.

Despite the increased figures, the city council-run Aragon Direct Services has been removing non-hazardous waste in 48 hours and hazardous within 24 hours of it being reported as expected.

The council said: “It was hoped following the re-opening of the Household Recycling Centre that we would see a reduction in fly-tipping, but to date this has not been the case.

“We continue to work closely with the PES team to take evidence from fly-tips where possible.”

CCTV cameras have been purchased, but there has been “limited opportunity to use them considering the pandemic and associated issues,” the council said.

It added: “The situation has allowed works to be undertaken to explore opportunities with neighbouring councils on sharing different technologies for locations and incidents to bring the best equipment to bear as required.”