"Much stronger action is needed" to tackle scourge of fly-tipping in Calderdale, say campaigners

The warning comes after new figures revealed how many people in the borough have received fixed penalty notices from Calderdale Council for fly-tipping.

Since the start of 2022, 79 notices have been issued by the council over the issue up to September 14 this year.

That figure rose to 45 in 2025 after only five were issued in 2022, eight were issued in 2023 and 11 were issued in 2024.

This year, up to September 14, ten notices were issued, according to a Freedom of Information request by the Halifax Courier.

"Between 2022-23 and since 2024, we’ve increased the amount per fine significantly for fly-tipping, from £150 per fine to £1000 per fine, which shows how seriously we take this crime,” said a Calderdale Council spokesperson.

Frank Page, from Sowerby Bridge based litter picking group LitterfreeSB, said: "These figures indicate that much stronger action is needed to tackle the criminal abuse of our countryside.

"Past fines have not reflected the scale of the problem, and the cost of enforcement appears to have been wholly disproportionate to the fixed penalties imposed.

"Those penalties have clearly failed to deter fly-tippers.

"It is encouraging that local authorities and national government are now treating the issue more seriously, with proposals for higher fines and greater powers for councils and courts.

"However, residents and landowners must remain vigilant, report suspicious activity, and provide evidence to the police wherever possible.

"At the same time, the police and councils should offer far stronger support to landowners seeking court action against those who abuse their land."

Halifax MP Kate Dearden said: "Fly-tipping blights our communities, and I hear time and again from residents who are fed up with seeing their neighbourhoods treated as dumping grounds.

"I’m proud that our Labour government is taking tough action, with higher fines and new powers to help councils seize and crush vehicles used by fly-tippers.

"I’ll keep working with our council to make sure these powers are being used locally and that those who dump waste face the consequences."