The council is clamping down on fly-tipping in the Cotswolds.

Three people have been issued fixed penalty notices as the Cotswold District Council looks to stamp out the illegal activity.

Councillor Juliet Layton, cabinet member for development management and licensing, says the issue has been made worse by “illegitimate waste removal services”.

She said: “I would like to thank our officers who have been invaluable in helping us to crack down on environmental crime here in the Cotswolds. We want to highlight that fly-tipping is a criminal offence, and we are seeking to clamp down and enforce any case we possibly can, either through the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice or through a prosecution.

“What we are seeing more frequently is illegitimate waste removal services offering cheap prices, who are not licensed and very often cut corners to dispose of the waste dangerously and illegally.

“Fly-tipping can ruin our countryside and our communities, and we will continue to raise awareness that it is criminal and unacceptable. If you witness an incident of fly-tipping, please report it as soon as you can, that gives our officers the best chance of catching the perpetrators.”

READ MORE: Warning to Cotswold householders as illegal fly-tipping increases

The council has warned that while the majority of tradespeople and companies can be trusted to dispose of waste responsibly, it is important to be aware that some cannot.

Kevin Lea, enviro-crime programmes officer at Cotswold District Council, has reminded residents that even if someone else fly-tips your waste, you could still face a £400 fixed penalty notice.

He said: “Responsible, safe and legal disposal of waste is the responsibility of the household occupier, regardless of who is physically disposing of the waste.

“Under the ‘Domestic Duty of Care’, all reasonable measures must be taken to ensure that household waste is transferred and taken away by an authorised person.

“Our collective goal is to maintain our beautiful district and countryside and we aim to help people do the right thing and tackle those who do not.”

READ MORE: Baby toys and pushchairs dumped on roadside as police send warning to fly-tippers

Illegal fly-tipping’s can be reported to https://cotswold.gov.uk/environment/report-fly-tipping/ and any questions can be emailed to ers@cotswold.gov.uk.