HAMPSHIRE County Council is proposing to set up a dedicated resource to work exclusively on reducing fly-tipping.

The aim is to focus on improving reporting and intelligence to increase prosecutions, as well as promoting ways the public can help.

Councillor Rob Humby, Executive Member for Environment and Transport at Hampshire County Council, said: “For too long, some people feel they have been able to get away with blighting the countryside while leaving the council taxpayer to pick up the bill.

“The majority of Hampshire’s residents have had to suffer from the actions of an irresponsible minority. The recommendation I will be considering this week, focuses on three basic elements to reduce fly-tipping in Hampshire: enforcement, reporting and education.

“One of the major challenges in tackling fly-tipping is the range of organisations involved.

“This is why we’ve been working with our partners including the Police, all of the district and borough councils across Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth city councils, the Environment Agency and rural associations, on a county wide plan of action to show unscrupulous individuals that fly-tipping will not be tolerated.

“As well as improved reporting and enforcement, a key strand of this work will be co-ordinating with partner organisations to publicise a few simple steps that householders and businesses can take to have peace of mind that any waste taken away by contractors is being done so legally and responsibly, and doesn’t end up fly-tipped.”

Hampshire has also opened up Household Waste Recycling Centres to small and medium sized enterprises for the first time. This provides a legal and cost effective place for businesses to recycle and dispose of waste.