News

Harborough’s ‘Tip Off’ Campaign Wins National Award

Written by HFM News on 28th January 2021

Harborough District Council’s ‘Tip Off’ campaign – which has dramatically reduced illegal flytipping – has won a national award.

It was crowned ‘Campaign of the Year’ at the National Recycling Awards, held virtually yesterday.

Since being launched a few years ago to increase awareness of fly-tipping, and encourage reporting, it has led to numerous prosecutions, with some fly-tippers caught red-handed on covert CCTV.

The judging panel said the campaign ‘demonstrated direct intervention into a critical issue, had a big impact, showed value for money in an effective campaign and was a good example of taking on a challenging issue and getting the community involved.’

In 2018/19 there were 728 incidents of fly-tipping reported in the Harborough district. Following the re-launch of ‘Tip Off’ that figure fell dramatically in 2019/20 to 484 incidents, and currently, for the 2020/21 period (up to December), the number has fallen further to 381 incidents.

Cllr Jonathan Bateman, Harborough District Council’s Cabinet lead for Environment & Waste, said: “This is a brilliant result, and credit to those behind this campaign, including our contractor FCC Environment.

“Tip Off has achieved real success in tackling fly-tipping across the Harborough district and we are continuing to reduce incidents of fly-tipping thanks to our ongoing work. But we couldn’t do it without the fantastic support of residents who report incidents and help provide us with the information we need to fine or prosecute those responsible for blighting the district.

The Council works closely with its contractor FCC Environment around evidence-gathering from fly-tips and has taken a proactive approach to removing fly-tips quickly where possible. There has also been an extensive campaign on social media and in newsletters and updates when people are fined or convicted of fly-tipping offences.