WILTSHIRE Council is stepping up its fight against fly-tipping, warning residents they could face a £600 fine if their rubbish ends up dumped in the countryside.

The authority’s Stop at Source (SAS) campaign highlights the growing use of informal waste collectors – often advertised on social media as cheap “tip runs” – and the risks householders take when handing over rubbish without proper checks.

If that waste is fly-tipped, the householder, not just the person who dumped it, can be held responsible.

That could result in a £600 fixed penalty notice or even prosecution.

SAS is designed to help residents avoid being fined for someone else’s crime by taking three simple steps before giving waste to a third party.

Householders are urged to check for a waste carrier’s licence, take the vehicle registration and contact details and obtain a receipt or waste transfer note.

Keeping a record of what was taken, by whom and when can protect residents if their waste is later discovered dumped illegally.

It also helps council officers track down and pursue the actual offender. Failure to gather those details could leave the householder liable if the fly-tipper cannot be traced.

Cabinet member for highways and street scene Cllr Martin Smith, said: “Our award-winning We’re Targeting Fly tippers campaign has already helped reduce illegal dumping in Wiltshire, and we’re catching more offenders than ever.

“But we must go further. SAS warns residents about the real risks of handing rubbish to unverified ‘tip run’ operators.

“If your waste is dumped, you could receive a fixed penalty notice or face prosecution.

“People must be extremely cautious when using these waste collectors as these people can – and do – dump rubbish in our beautiful countryside.

“Even some licensed carriers have been caught fly tipping, which is why gathering vehicle details and documenting the handover is essential.

“We spend more than £250,000 each year tackling fly-tipping and with your help, we can Stop at Source.”

For more information or to report fly-tipping, visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/fly-tipping