States being urged to look into prosecuting fly-tippers
THE States are being urged to look at the prosecution around fly-tipping as islanders are concerned that the issue is not going away.
Local business owner Ross Le Brun set up the Guernsey Fly Tipping Spotters Facebook page to create a single platform for islanders to share images of fly-tipping that they have seen throughout the island.
Almost every day there are new posts, ranging from a few bits of litter or alcohol containers scattered through Town, to masses of household and garden waste dumped in hedges or by the side of the roads.
‘The Facebook page is intended to be used as a platform for people to bring attention to the issue, rather than images being dotted around on various pages and groups,’ Mr Le Brun said.
‘It makes the issue more visible to the States and highlights how easy it is to do and get away with.’
He hoped that the States would be encouraged to look at the law and be stricter on tracing the source of the waste so those responsible can be prosecuted.
‘Fly-tipping is a reoccurring thing and regardless of how it got there, the people whose rubbish it is need to be prosecuted or fined – I think it would definitely make people be more careful with it.’
Mr Le Brun mentioned a particularly bad dumping of rubbish in the area behind Waitrose in the Rohais.
He said it looked like someone had dumped a truck-full of rubbish, which was disappointing to see.
Another islander has sent photos to the Guernsey Press of fly-tipping that she had seen while on a walk through the lanes in St Andrew’s.
‘It’s appalling,’ she said.
‘It includes a television and broken glass from a mirror.’
On the States of Guernsey website there is some advice for those who discover illegally dumped rubbish.
‘Do not touch the waste as it can be dangerous – it may contain syringes, broken glass, asbestos, toxic chemicals or other hazardous substances.
‘If possible, visually inspect the waste and try to determine what the waste consists of and how much there is and note its exact location.
‘Do not disturb the site as there may be evidence that could help identify the offenders and lead to their prosecution
‘If someone has fly-tipped waste then a crime is likely to have been committed and you or the landowner should follow the steps above and then report the matter to the police (using the online form on gov.gg or by phoning 725111).
‘If the fly-tipped rubbish is on the road, a pavement, or a car park needing a parking clock then please contact Trading Assets on 231200.
‘If it is in a coastal car park contact Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services on 234567.
n The States did not respond to the Guernsey Press’s question about whether there is an appetite to review the law.
