COUNCILS are being urged to get tougher on fly-tipping with new government guidance setting out how vehicles used to dump waste can be seized and crushed.

The move comes as fresh figures reveal there were 1.26 million fly-tipping incidents across England last year, prompting calls for stronger enforcement to protect streets, parks and countryside.

For the first time, official guidance advises local authorities on how to identify, seize and dispose of vehicles involved in waste crime.

It also provides advice on taking cases to court and securing convictions against vehicle owners.

To strengthen deterrence, councils are expected to “name and shame” offenders on social media and share images and videos of seized vehicles being crushed.

Authorities are also encouraged to use overt and covert surveillance techniques, including CCTV, drones and Automatic Number Plate Recognition, to catch offenders in the act.

The guidance suggests repurposing seized vehicles for use in clearing up fly-tipped waste.

(Picture: Wiltshire Council)

Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said: “We are empowering local authorities to clamp down on waste cowboys and restore pride in our local areas.

“I share the public’s fury at seeing our streets, parks and fields used as dumping grounds. Fly-tippers should know – if you use your van to trash our countryside, don’t be surprised when it ends up on the scrapheap.

“This government is investing in cutting-edge technology and boosting Environment Agency funding to put more waste crime officers on the ground, while introducing tougher checks and penalties for those who break the law.”

Although councils already have powers to seize vehicles, figures show 139 were taken by enforcement officers from 41 councils in 2024/25.

In the same period, local authorities carried out 572,000 enforcement actions – up 8% on the previous year – including 69,000 fixed penalty notices.

Convicted fly-tippers can face significant fines, community sentences or even imprisonment.

Any money raised is ring-fenced to help councils clear up land affected by illegal dumping.