NEW figures show there has been an increase of almost 50 per cent in the number of fly-tipping cases in Swindon in the last two years.

In 2012/13 there 1,681 reports but by 2014/15 this had risen to 2,485 according to figures obtained by the Press Association following a Freedom of Information request.

The exact nature of all the waste is not known but dealing with it is estimated to cost local authorities across the country thousands of pounds.

Last year, a £40 green waste charge was introduced which led to a sudden surge in reports of rubbish, especially garden waste, being piled in the streets, although the rise in cases has been echoed across many authorities.

Swindon Borough Council left the waste to send a message people could not leave it but some have clearly still continued to leave bags lying around.

However, the local authority has taken a tough line on people it catches dumping rubbish.

In July, David Howell, 34, of Anderson Close was ordered to pay £230 for claiming to be a refuse collector but taking rubbish and dumping it at the gates of a skip company.

The council also pressed charges against 21-year-old Alex Hinks of Oakham Close back in June and he was ordered to pay more than £1,700 after being caught dumping rubbish outside his property.

Speaking after the hearing, Coun Brian Ford (Con, Wroughton and Wichelstowe), the cabinet member for Streetsmart, said: “We take incidents of fly-tipping very seriously and I have asked my officers that any reports of fly-tipping are checked.

“I have requested and it has been agreed that environmental health enforcement comes into my department so that when officers see fly-tipped waste they can deal with it seamlessly and make sure the person responsible is prosecuted.

“We are also not only relying on our own officers.

“I get many complaints regarding fly-tipping so I would ask members of the public to let us know when they see fly-tipping and who is doing it.”

The rise of reports of fly-tipping in Swindon follows a national trend, with the Local Government Association calling for the introduction of on-the-spot fines to save council’s going to court.

Peter Box, of the LGA, said: “New powers would ensure councils can go even further in addressing what is often not just an eyesore, but also a serious public health risk, creating pollution and attracting vermin."