FLY-TIPPING is discovered twice a day on average in Braintree, figures reveal.

Data from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs shows that 701 fly-tipping incidents were reported to Braintree District Council in 2019/20, 100 fewer than the previous year.

Dumped waste was found on roads and pavements 258 times accounting for 37 per cent, whilst 115 discoveries were also made on footpaths and bridleways.

Across the district, small van loads of waste were dumped illegally on 195 occasions.

A further 48 incidents saw fly-tippers discard enough rubbish to fill a tipper lorry each, costing the council £3808 to clear.

There were also eight incidents which required multiple loads to clear, at a cost of £955.

Braintree District Council took action over 555 fly-tipping offences in 2019-20.

The authority undertook 210 investigations, wrote 136 warning letters and issued 129 fixed penalty notices.

It also prosecuted six incidents in court, at a cost of £1,213 which resulted in six fines, totalling £1,213, being handed to offenders.

Environmental Charity Keep Britain Tidy says the crime is being driven by conmen who offer to remove household rubbish for a fee but do not dispose of it correctly.

Chief executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said: “This environmental crime is being driven by ‘man with a van’ operators who are conning the public with what appears to be a cheap way of getting rid of their rubbish, but one that leads to illegal disposal and environmental devastation.

“Tragically, some businesses that hold a waste carrier licence are breaking the law and fly-tipping the rubbish that households pay them to remove.

“This must stop. We believe the only way to prevent further law-breaking is to fundamentally reform the system.

"We need tests and hurdles to ensure waste carriers are legitimate and accountable.

"Licences should be difficult to get, thoroughly checked and essential to carry out door-to-door waste collection."