Fly-tipping in Epsom and Ewell part of national problem
Organised criminal gangs are increasingly using fake waste removal companies to dump lorry-loads of rubbish across the UK — and Surrey is not immune.
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), over 47,000 large-scale fly-tipping incidents (involving tipper lorries or more than a van load of waste) were recorded by councils in England in 2022/23, costing local authorities more than £13 million to clear. Behind many of these cases are sophisticated criminal operations posing as legitimate businesses, advertising cheap waste clearance on platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree.
“These aren’t just one-off chancers,” said John Roberts, Chief Security Officer at Kingdom Local Authority Support. “We’re talking about well-organised groups using the same tactics repeatedly — setting up fake firms, offering cheap deals online, and then vanishing before anyone can hold them accountable.”
How the Scams Work
According to Roberts, gangs offer low-cost rubbish removal services, load the waste into tipper trucks, and illegally dump it on green spaces, bridleways, industrial estates or roadside laybys — often under cover of darkness.
“They can disappear in a matter of hours. There’s virtually no trace, no formal business records, and no accountability,” he warned.
What many people don’t realise is that residents who unknowingly use these services can still be fined — up to £1,000 in fixed penalties, or face unlimited fines if prosecuted — if they fail to obtain a Waste Transfer Note, which proves the waste was handed to a licensed carrier.
Fly-Tipping in Epsom & Ewell: A Local Problem
While the national picture is alarming, Epsom & Ewell Borough has seen its own troubling rise in fly-tipping.
In February 2024, a man was prosecuted for multiple fly-tipping offences across the borough, including in the World’s End area. The Borough Council reported he was fined more than £2,300 after their investigations, using CCTV and physical evidence, successfully traced the waste back to him.
In 2023, the Council launched a targeted campaign to tackle what it described as “persistent” fly-tipping hotspots, including:
- Old London Road
- Hook Road
- Christ Church Road
Measures included surveillance cameras, warning signage, and public appeals.
A prior incident in 2021, covered by the Surrey Comet, showed men caught on camera dumping waste from a van near Horton Country Park — prompting public outrage and renewed calls for enforcement.
How to Avoid Illegal Waste Carriers
To avoid being scammed — and fined — residents are urged to take the following precautions:
- Check if the waste carrier is licensed with the Environment Agency: www.gov.uk/check-waste-carrier-registration
- Ask for a Waste Transfer Note. This document proves you handed over the waste legally.
- Avoid cash-in-hand deals and suspiciously low prices. Legitimate services charge based on volume and type of waste and hold valid permits.
How to Report Fly-Tipping in Epsom
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council encourages residents to report fly-tipping using the following methods:
Online: www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/fly-tipping
Phone: 01372 732000
Include details such as the time and date, exact location, vehicle registration (if known), and photos if safe to capture.
A Shared Responsibility
“People often don’t realise that even if they’ve paid someone to take the waste, they’re still legally responsible for what happens to it,” John Roberts said. “You’ve got to get that paperwork.”
The message is clear: fly-tipping isn’t just a public nuisance — it’s a criminal offence, and everyone has a role in tackling it.
If you’re clearing garden waste, disposing of old furniture, or hiring a skip, make sure you’ve checked who’s collecting it.
Image from Pixabay licence free
