Fly-tippers cutting through padlocks to dump waste on Surrey farmland
Offenders are breaking into fields overnight and at weekends
Farmers and landowners are being warned after a fly-tipping dump in Surrey.
Surrey Police said offenders have been using angle grinders and bolt croppers to cut through padlocks, or targeting fields that are easy to access.
The offences are happening overnight and often over weekends.
The most recent waste was reported over the weekend of 12th and 13th September.
It follows similar cases reported in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire over the summer.
Landowners are being asked to report every case they find.
For dumps of less than 20 tonnes, people can contact their local council or use FixMyStreet.com, where photos can be uploaded.
For anything over 20 tonnes, or industrial-scale dumping, the Environment Agency Incident Hotline can be reached on 0800 80 70 60.
If offenders are on the scene, people should call police on 999.
Surrey Police are also advising landowners on how to make their fields harder to target.
That includes fitting lockable galvanised gates with anti-lift hinges and heavy-duty padlocks, and blocking unused entrances with concrete blocks, sturdy barriers or tractor-placed boulders.
Hinge-side locks, anti-lift devices and tamper-proof padlocks are also recommended.
Trimming hedges near entrances and adding lighting where possible can increase visibility.
Deterrent signs at entrances and known hot spots are advised too, with warnings about prosecution, vehicle seizure and CCTV monitoring.
Cameras should face entrances and be able to capture number plates at night, and systems do not need to be expensive.
Empty land should be checked regularly.
The force is also encouraging landowners to work with their neighbours, as criminals often test multiple fields in the same area.
Coordinating signage and access control can make a whole lane appear high-risk to offenders, and a WhatsApp group can help people share information.