New council investment to crack down on fly-tipping
West Oxfordshire District Council is investing in new resources to tackle fly-tipping and other environmental offences, helping to protect the district’s countryside and keep communities clean and safe.
Environmental crime remains a growing challenge in West Oxfordshire. Between January and December 2025, the Council received 1,754 reports of offences, including fly-tipping, littering and waste burning. During this period, 219 investigations were carried out, leading to a range of enforcement actions. These included 63 warnings and 55 fixed penalty notices issued. Alongside enforcement action, the Council also provided advice and made referrals to external agencies and other council departments.
Councillor Lidia Arciszewska, Executive Member for Environment, said:
“Fly-tipping will not be tolerated, and this investment makes clear that we are serious about tackling it head on. Increased funding means more staff, more patrols and more enforcement action against those who dump waste illegally and damage our environment.“However, preventing fly-tipping is not just about enforcement. Residents also have a legal duty of care to ensure their waste is passed only to authorised waste carriers. Using rogue operators may seem convenient, but it can have serious consequences, including fines or prosecution if that waste is later dumped illegally. By taking a few simple checks, residents can protect themselves and help keep West Oxfordshire clean and safe.”
The Council is proposing to create a new post to support its Environmental Crime Officer as part of wider budget plans to strengthen enforcement across the district. This additional capacity will allow for more investigations, quicker follow-ups to reports, and a stronger presence in known fly-tipping hotspots. It will also free up time for proactive campaigns, improved coordination with partners, and more effective use of monitoring and enforcement tools to help prevent future offences.
Oxfordshire County Council recently introduced a booking system at Household Waste Recycling Centres to help reduce queues and improve access for residents. While this change is managed by the County Council, West Oxfordshire District Council is clear that it must not be used as an excuse for fly-tipping. With new investment in staff and enforcement, the district council is stepping up action to deter environmental crime and will continue to take firm action against anyone who dumps waste illegally.
This investment is part of the Council’s wider commitment to keeping West Oxfordshire’s towns, villages and green spaces clean, safe and well cared for.