LOCKDOWN clear outs have seen a spike in fly-tipping across the UK and the Vale has seen incidents reported in the Barry and district area.

The Countryside Alliance said it had seen reports of up to a 300 per cent rise in fly-tipping in certain areas.

Fly-tipping is the illegal deposit of waste onto land which does not have a licence to accept it.

Vale of Glamorgan Council enforcement officers have continued to deal with reported incidents since the lockdown began on March 23.

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One incident has seen the team investigating the origins of part of a car which was fly-tipped in Wenvoe on Wednesday, May 27.

While on June, 1 a Barry retailer was issued with a fixed penalty notice after being found to have illegally dumped commercial waste in a gated rear lane in the Illtyd ward of the town in May,

On May 26, resident Marco Zeraschi reported an incident in a lane on the way to his home.

He said: “I cannot believe what I saw.

“My neighbours and Ruth (Zeraschi) cleaned this up.

“Glass, screws and all sorts of toxic rubbish, there are horses, dogs and ponies use this lane every day.

“Absolutely disgusting.”

Thanking the neighbours who assisted with the clear-up he said: The Vale enforcement officers are on the case now.

“It’s only a matter of time now before the culprits will get caught and fined.”

The Barry & District News previously reported an incident of fly-tipping which was discovered in Five Mile Lane, in Barry, in early May.

In the beginning of March this year the Vale council was set to increase collection charges for bulky items from households, raising the figure from £20 for three items, up from the current £15.

Officers told councillors that the over all cost to the council was between £40 and £45 for items to be collected.

Vale councillor Ian Johnson said that he had recently reported a number of sofas and settees that had been dumped around Barry town centre, and questioned whether there was an increasing number of people fly-tipping to avoid charges.

Vale council officers said they would soon be publishing a report on fly-tipping across the county.

In a statement on its website, The Countryside Alliance said: “The impact this is having on our communities and countryside is unacceptable. We must all remember that fly-tipping is not a victimless crime and has a significant impact on rural areas and wildlife.

“Many local authorities have had to shut waste recycling centres at this time and are concentrating on keeping kerbside collections going. We all have a responsibility to do our bit, never more so than at this difficult time and we are calling on everyone to dispose of their waste legally. You could face prosecution if you are caught fly-tipping or giving your rubbish to a rogue waste disposal system.”

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesman said: “We are yet to receive the latest fly-tipping statistics but recognise there has been an increase in demand for cleansing services. Our environmental enforcement officers regularly patrol known fly-tipping hotspots and respond to any reports relating to this offence.

“Fly-tipping is a crime and an issue we take extremely seriously. Anyone found to be committing this type of offence could face serious consequences, which include being issued with a fixed penalty notice”, prosecution, fines of up to £50,000 or even imprisonment.

“Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) have now reopened on a booking basis.”

HWRC booking slots, for up to Tuesday, June 23, can be secured by visiting the Vale of Glamorgan Council website.

To report a fly-tipping incident, or help with finding those responsible, call 01446 700111 or email visible@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk