Swindon resident fined £1,000 for fly-tipping after witness report
The quick-thinking witness noted the vehicle registration, took a photograph, and reported it to the council
A resident from Swindon has been fined £1,000 for fly-tipping after a witness reported the incident to Wiltshire Council.
The offence occurred on 24th August near Swindon Road, Royal Wootton Bassett, where a member of the public saw the driver dumping a blue bag of garden waste onto a grass verge.
The quick-thinking witness noted the vehicle registration, took a photograph, and reported it to the council. This led to an investigation by the council's Environmental Enforcement Team, who traced the vehicle to the Swindon resident responsible. During an interview under caution, the woman admitted her actions and apologised.
Following the admission, along with photographic evidence and the witness statement, the council issued a £1,000 fixed penalty notice, which was paid in full. The council's We’re Targeting Fly-tippers (WTF) scheme rewarded the witness with a £100 high street voucher for their assistance.
Under Wiltshire Council's revised penalty regime, introduced on 1st September 2026, offenders can face fines of up to £5,000. However, as this incident took place before the new system was implemented, it was dealt with under the previous £1,000 framework.
David Bullock, Director of Assets, Highways and Waste, emphasised the role of public reports in tackling fly-tipping and expressed gratitude to the witness for their input.
Wiltshire Council encourages residents to report any fly-tipping incidents, as information leading to successful enforcement action can make witnesses eligible for rewards through their scheme.