Croydon fly-tipping fines rise to £5,000 but enforcement remains low
Government increases penalties as Croydon records 53,000 incidents in a year, but council issues few fines
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Residents in Croydon face stricter penalties for fly-tipping after the UK government approved a fivefold increase in fines, raising the maximum to £5,000 per offence. The new rules, announced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), take effect this summer. The move follows record levels of illegal dumping in the borough, with DEFRA data showing more than 53,000 reported incidents in 2024-2025.
Croydon Council, which has struggled with enforcement, issued only 310 fixed-penalty notices for fly-tipping between April 2025 and February 2026. This averages 28 fines per month, despite the borough recording around 1,000 incidents weekly. The council’s enforcement team was disbanded in 2023 under Mayor Jason Perry, who also ended a policy of seizing vehicles linked to fly-tipping.
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Fines rise but prosecutions stay rare
Under the previous system, on-the-spot fines for fly-tipping ranged from £400 to £1,000. Repeat offenders or those responsible for large-scale dumping could face court action, with potential fines reaching £8,000. However, prosecutions in Croydon have been infrequent. The new £5,000 maximum applies to automatic fines, while the penalty for littering has also increased to £750.
DEFRA stated that local authorities will retain discretion over fine levels, ensuring penalties remain proportionate to the offence. The government’s guidance includes measures for identifying and seizing vehicles involved in fly-tipping, though Croydon no longer implements this policy. Inside Croydon reported that the council’s enforcement team was made redundant in 2023.
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We are sending a clear message to those who dump their rubbish, we are coming after you and you will pay the price.
Emma Reynolds, government minister
Council’s financial pressures
The fine increase could generate significant revenue for Croydon Council, which faces ongoing financial difficulties. Inside Croydon calculated that if every one of the 53,000 incidents in 2024-2025 had resulted in a £5,000 fine, the council could have collected up to £260 million. However, the publication noted that such revenue depends on effective enforcement, which has been lacking.
The council’s waste management contract with Veolia has also faced criticism. Inside Croydon reported that contractors cleared 98% of fly-tips, but streets remain littered due to delays and poor performance. The borough was previously labelled “London’s filthiest” in media reports, with a £40 million contract awarded to Veolia in 2023.
What happens next
The new fines come into force this summer, but it remains unclear how Croydon Council will enforce them. The council has not announced plans to reinstate its enforcement team or reintroduce vehicle seizures. Residents can report fly-tipping incidents through the council’s website or by contacting its waste management service.
Questions this report answers
+How much is the new fine for fly-tipping?
The maximum fine for fly-tipping has increased to £5,000 per offence, effective this summer. The government raised penalties to deter illegal dumping, though councils decide the exact amount based on the severity of each case.
+How many fly-tipping incidents did Croydon record last year?
Croydon recorded over 53,000 fly-tipping incidents in 2024-2025, the highest number in England. DEFRA data shows the borough averages around 1,000 incidents per week on public land.
+How many fines did Croydon Council issue for fly-tipping?
Croydon Council issued 310 fixed-penalty notices for fly-tipping between April 2025 and February 2026. This averages 28 fines per month, despite the borough’s high number of incidents.
+What happens if someone is caught fly-tipping in Croydon?
Offenders may receive a fixed-penalty notice of up to £5,000, depending on the severity of the offence. Repeat offenders or those responsible for large-scale dumping could face court action, with fines potentially reaching £8,000.
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