POLICE DETAILS
Avon and Somerset Constabulary - Frome Rural North Neighbourhood

 Community Speed Watch – Get Involved!

The Area Organiser of Community Speed Watch has received a number of new applications from several of our parishes – fantastic news for road safety!

However, some villages still have no CSW coverage. Having a regular CSW presence in a village slows vehicles down and helps keep everyone safer.

"Having a regular CSW in a village slows vehicles down – please get involved."Find out more and register here:
Community Speed Watch Website  -https://communityspeedwatch.org/FRONT-v2-Register.php

Community Speed Watch – Volunteer Support
This past week has seen excellent work from our Community Speed Watch (CSW) volunteers. Their continued efforts play a vital role in improving road safety across our communities.
I had the privilege of joining some of the CSW teams  at Berkley and Leigh-on-Mendip to support them . These sessions provided an opportunity to demonstrate our appreciation for the volunteers’ commitment and dedication to reducing speeding and enhancing public safety.
Thank you to all involved for your hard work and ongoing contribution.
I joined the Frome PCSOs at Berkley and Leigh-on-Mendip to support the teams and show how much we value their hard work and dedication.
THANK YOU!
Once again, 100% of the reported speeders have been spoken to — a reminder for anyone unaware of the consequences of being recorded by a CSW scheme.
Community Speed Watch – Get Involved!
The Area Organiser of Community Speed Watch has received a number of new applications from several of our parishes – fantastic news for road safety!
However, some villages still have no CSW coverage. Having a regular CSW presence in a village slows vehicles down and helps keep everyone safer.
"Having a regular CSW in a village slows vehicles down – please get involved."
Find out more and register here:
Community Speed Watch Website  –https://communityspeedwatch.org/FRONT-v2-Register.php
If you’re reported by CSW volunteers, the registered keeper of the vehicle will receive a written notice. If the same vehicle is recorded three times, a PCSO or Police Constable will visit to discuss the matter further. A record of this visit will be made and kept on file.

 Rural Crime Alert – Help Us Protect Our Farming Community

Sadly, our farmers continue to be targeted by increasingly sophisticated criminals, who are not deterred by time of day — thefts are happening both day and night.

We ask everyone to stay vigilant and report anything that looks suspicious. Your awareness could make a real difference.

To our farming community:
Please keep an eye on our social media channels for upcoming events where you can have your trailers marked for free. These events are a great way to deter theft and improve traceability.

In the meantime, we encourage you to visit the DATATAG website for more information on security products and services that can help protect your equipment.

Let’s work together to keep our rural areas safe.

Rural Crime – Stay Alert and Protect Our Communities
We are continuing to receive reports of thefts within our rural communities. These incidents are not limited to trailers and tractors—items such as fuel, metal, and general equipment are also being targeted, as they can be easily sold on.
These crimes are deeply upsetting for victims and have a serious impact on their ability to work, creating a ripple effect on livelihoods and the wider community.
Please remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately.
If you see something, say something. Your vigilance helps protect property, wildlife, and the safety of our rural communities.

Crime Prevention Tips

Secure equipment and vehicles: Use wheel locks, hitch locks, and immobilisers where possible.
Install CCTV and motion sensor lighting: Well-lit areas and visible cameras act as strong deterrents.
Mark property: Use security marking or engraving on tools and machinery to make them traceable.
Store fuel and metal securely: Keep these items in locked containers or buildings.
Check boundaries: Ensure gates, fences, and access points are secure.
Join local watch schemes: Community collaboration strengthens security and reporting.

Sadly poaching is very much present in our country side, with our farming communities having to pay the price for this illegal and cruel activity.

Many people may think of poaching as a means for members of the community to be able to feed their families as times are obviously hard for some. Statically this is untrue with all the animals killed, often left at the road edge in in the field that the criminals dogs caught the animal and killed it in a horrible and inhumane manner.

Hare / Deer coursing is an illegal activity in which dogs - typically sighthounds like greyhounds or lurchers - are used to chase and kill hares. It is often organized for gambling or sport and usually takes place on farmland or open countryside.

Key points:

• Purpose: Participants bet on which dog will catch the hare first.
• Impact: Causes significant animal suffering and disrupts wildlife populations.
• Legal status: Prohibited under the Hunting Act 2004 in England and Wales. Offenders can face fines, imprisonment, and seizure of dogs and vehicles.
• Associated issues: Often linked to trespassing, criminal damage, and intimidation of landowners.
• Important Note:
  Dogs used in hare or deer coursing do not distinguish between wild animals and pets. Sadly, this means that cats, small dogs, or other domestic animals can suffer the same fate if encountered during these illegal activities.
• please report all suspicious activity ,whilst in the country side , for example, males with sighthounds like greyhounds or lurchers making their way across the fields.
• Please Note:
  Poachers show no regard for farmland or crops. They will drive across fields in search of wildlife, often causing significant damage to sown crops. Their methods include releasing dogs to kill animals or using catapults and air rifles to shoot them - only to leave the carcasses behind.
  This is not only cruel but also destructive to property and livelihoods. I strongly encourage anyone with information that could lead to the prosecution of these individuals to come forward.

Poaching and Hare Coursing – A Continuing Threat to Our Countryside
Poaching remains a serious issue in our rural communities, with farming families paying the price for this illegal and cruel activity.
Many people mistakenly believe poaching is about feeding families during hard times. Statistically, this is untrue. Animals killed during poaching are often left at the roadside or in fields where they were chased and killed by dogs in a brutal and inhumane manner.

What is Hare and Deer Coursing?
Hare and deer coursing is an illegal activity where dogs—typically sighthounds such as greyhounds or lurchers—are used to chase and kill hares or deer.

Purpose: Participants often bet on which dog will catch the hare first.
Impact: Causes severe animal suffering and disrupts wildlife populations.
Legal Status: Prohibited under the Hunting Act 2004 in England and Wales. Offenders can face fines, imprisonment, and seizure of dogs and vehicles.
Associated Issues: Frequently linked to trespassing, criminal damage, and intimidation of landowners.

Important Note: Dogs used in hare or deer coursing do not distinguish between wild animals and pets. Sadly, this means cats, small dogs, or other domestic animals can also fall victim to these illegal activities.

Recent Action
In response to these crimes, Frome PCSOs, Shepton Mallet officers, and the Rural Crime Team recently carried out a joint operation aimed at identifying and arresting individuals involved in hare coursing, poaching, and other forms of rural crime. This proactive approach demonstrates our commitment to protecting wildlife, farmland, and rural communities.

Signs to Watch For

Groups of males with sighthounds (greyhounds, lurchers) walking across fields.
Vehicles driving across farmland without permission.
Use of catapults or air rifles to kill wildlife.

Poachers show no regard for farmland or crops, often causing significant damage to sown fields. Their methods include releasing dogs to kill animals or shooting them—only to leave the carcasses behind. This is not only cruel but also destructive to property and livelihoods.

What You Can Do

Report suspicious activity immediately: If you see something, say something.
Call 101 or use the online reporting service for non-emergencies.
In an emergency or if a crime is in progress, dial 999.
You can also report anonymously via Crimestoppers at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Your vigilance helps protect wildlife, property, and the safety of our rural communities.

Sadly poaching is very much present in our country side, with our farming communities having to pay the price for this illegal and cruel activity.

Many people may think of poaching as a means for members of the community to be able to feed their families as times are obviously hard for some. Statically this is untrue with all the animals killed, often left at the road edge in in the field that the criminals dogs caught the animal and killed it in a horrible and inhumane manner.

Hare / Deer coursing is an illegal activity in which dogs - typically sighthounds like greyhounds or lurchers - are used to chase and kill hares. It is often organized for gambling or sport and usually takes place on farmland or open countryside.

Key points:

• Purpose: Participants bet on which dog will catch the hare first.
• Impact: Causes significant animal suffering and disrupts wildlife populations.
• Legal status: Prohibited under the Hunting Act 2004 in England and Wales. Offenders can face fines, imprisonment, and seizure of dogs and vehicles.
• Associated issues: Often linked to trespassing, criminal damage, and intimidation of landowners.
• Important Note:
  Dogs used in hare or deer coursing do not distinguish between wild animals and pets. Sadly, this means that cats, small dogs, or other domestic animals can suffer the same fate if encountered during these illegal activities.
• please report all suspicious activity ,whilst in the country side , for example, males with sighthounds like greyhounds or lurchers making their way across the fields.
• Please Note:
  Poachers show no regard for farmland or crops. They will drive across fields in search of wildlife, often causing significant damage to sown crops. Their methods include releasing dogs to kill animals or using catapults and air rifles to shoot them - only to leave the carcasses behind.
  This is not only cruel but also destructive to property and livelihoods. I strongly encourage anyone with information that could lead to the prosecution of these individuals to come forward.

Rural & Wildlife Crime Update
We’re pleased to share that reported poaching incidents have significantly decreased over the past two months. This is really encouraging and shows the positive impact of increased community awareness and timely reporting.
That said, it’s still important that we all remain vigilant. Please continue to report any suspicious behaviour, unfamiliar vehicles, or new incidents in our rural areas.
Sergeant Jefferies remains in regular contact with local farmers, helping to strengthen our information?sharing networks. His work is making a real difference in improving early reporting and ensuring issues reach the right policing teams quickly.

How to Report
If poachers or hare coursers are on land right now, call 999 immediately.
For non?urgent suspicious activity, report via the Avon & Somerset Police website:
Report rural or wildlife crime | Avon and Somerset Police
When reporting, please include:

Vehicle registrations
Descriptions of people and vehicles
Direction of travel
Photographs or video only if it is safe to obtain

Your information is vital in helping protect our rural communities, livestock, and wildlife.
Thank you for your continued support.
Rural Crime – Please Report Suspicious Activity
Rural crime continues to have a significant impact on our farming and countryside communities. Offences such as poaching, hare coursing, and the theft of farm equipment or livestock can cause considerable disruption, financial loss, and emotional stress for those affected.
One of the challenges we face is that many incidents go unreported. Members of the public often assume that suspicious behaviour in the countryside is simply a farmer, contractor, or landowner carrying out legitimate work. Similarly, individuals seen walking across fields with dogs are frequently presumed to be exercising them, when in some cases the behaviour may be linked to illegal hunting or poaching.
Why Reporting Matters
Every report helps us build a clearer understanding of what is happening across our rural areas. Even if something appears minor or turns out to be harmless, the information may be vital in identifying patterns, targeting patrols, or supporting future policing operations.
Your reports directly assist the rural crime team in tackling:

Hare coursing and deer poaching
Theft of machinery, tools, diesel, and livestock
Damage to crops, fences, and gates
Suspicious vehicles or unknown individuals on farmland

What to Look Out For
Residents are encouraged to report anything that seems unusual, such as:

Vehicles driving slowly or parked in remote rural locations
People stopping to watch fields, livestock, or farm buildings
Dogs being used to chase wildlife across farmland
Unfamiliar individuals entering fields or woodland without clear purpose

If you are unsure whether something is suspicious, please report it anyway—we would rather check and find nothing than miss vital information.
How to Report
999 – If a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger
101 – For non?emergency reports and ongoing suspicious activity
Online reporting: www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report
You can also contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team through the Avon and Somerset Police website for non?urgent concerns or rural crime advice.
 

The use and presence of untaxed and uninsured vehicles on roads in and around Rudge has been identified as a neighbourhood policing priority. These vehicles pose a significant risk to public safety and are frequently linked to wider motoring and criminal offences. This priority focuses on deterrence, detection, and enforcement, supported by active community engagement and reporting.

Why This Matters

• Increased danger on narrow rural roads and lanes, where collisions can have severe consequences
• Financial hardship and stress for victims involved in collisions with uninsured drivers
• Higher insurance premiums for law?abiding residents
• Obstruction and environmental blight from abandoned or poorly maintained vehicles
• Links to wider criminality, including disqualified driving, drink/drug driving, and vehicle crime

Legal Position

Untaxed Vehicles

• Fixed penalties and fines
• Wheel?clamping
• Vehicle seizure and removal
• Court action for persistent tax evasion

Uninsured Vehicles

• Issue a £300 fixed penalty and endorse 6 penalty points
• Seize vehicles at the roadside
• Destroy vehicles where appropriate
• Seek unlimited fines or disqualification through the courts

Neighbourhood Policing Update: Untaxed & Uninsured Vehicles in Rudge
Untaxed and uninsured vehicles have recently been identified as a neighbourhood policing priority in and around Rudge. These vehicles pose a serious risk to public safety and are often linked to wider motoring and criminal offences. Our focus is on deterrence, detection, and enforcement, supported by strong community reporting.

Why This Matters
Untaxed and uninsured vehicles have a disproportionate impact on rural communities like Rudge. Their presence can lead to:

Increased danger on narrow country lanes, where collisions can have severe consequences
Financial stress and hardship for victims hit by uninsured drivers
Higher insurance costs for law?abiding residents
Abandoned or poorly maintained vehicles causing obstruction and environmental damage
Links to wider offending including disqualified driving, drink/drug driving, and vehicle?related crime

Police data shows that uninsured drivers are significantly more likely to be involved in serious road offences, highlighting the importance of targeted enforcement.

Legal Responsibilities
Untaxed Vehicles
All vehicles used or kept on a public road must be taxed unless they have a valid SORN and are stored entirely on private land.
Enforcement actions can include:

Fixed penalties and fines
Wheel?clamping
Vehicle seizure and removal
Court action for persistent offenders

Vehicle tax is the responsibility of the registered keeper.

Uninsured Vehicles
Driving without insurance is a criminal offence under Section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Police powers include:

£300 fixed penalty and 6 penalty points
Roadside vehicle seizure
Vehicle destruction in appropriate cases
Unlimited fines or driving disqualification through the courts

Avon & Somerset Police also use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to identify uninsured vehicles in real time.

Further patrols have been completed in the area and will continue .

The use and presence of untaxed and uninsured vehicles on roads in and around Rudge has been identified as a neighbourhood policing priority. These vehicles pose a significant risk to public safety and are frequently linked to wider motoring and criminal offences. This priority focuses on deterrence, detection, and enforcement, supported by active community engagement and reporting.

Why This Matters

• Increased danger on narrow rural roads and lanes, where collisions can have severe consequences
• Financial hardship and stress for victims involved in collisions with uninsured drivers
• Higher insurance premiums for law‑abiding residents
• Obstruction and environmental blight from abandoned or poorly maintained vehicles
• Links to wider criminality, including disqualified driving, drink/drug driving, and vehicle crime

Legal Position

Untaxed Vehicles

• Fixed penalties and fines
• Wheel‑clamping
• Vehicle seizure and removal
• Court action for persistent tax evasion

Uninsured Vehicles

• Issue a £300 fixed penalty and endorse 6 penalty points
• Seize vehicles at the roadside
• Destroy vehicles where appropriate
• Seek unlimited fines or disqualification through the courts

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Community Update – Vehicle Offences in Rural Areas
We have recently seen an increase in vehicles being used on our rural roads that are uninsured, untaxed, or without a valid MOT.
These offences are not minor. Vehicles in this condition are often unsafe and pose a real risk to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and farm vehicles. Rural roads are often narrow, poorly lit and fast-moving, which means the consequences of a collision can be far more serious.
Driving without insurance, tax or an MOT is illegal and can result in:

Vehicles being seized
Fixed penalty notices or court action
Points on a driving licence and substantial fines

We are carrying out targeted patrols in rural areas and working with partner agencies to identify vehicles that are not being used legally. Automatic checks and roadside stops will continue.
If you are a vehicle owner, please ensure:

Your vehicle is insured
Your vehicle tax is up to date
Your vehicle has a valid MOT and is roadworthy

We ask for your support. If you are aware of vehicles being regularly driven without insurance, tax, or an MOT, please report it:

Online at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk
By calling 101
Always dial 999 in an emergency or if there is an immediate risk

Your information helps us keep our rural roads safer for everyone. Thank you for your continued cooperation and support.

Hare and deer coursing is a serious rural crime which is illegal and frequently associated with organised criminality. It causes severe animal welfare harm and has a wider impact on communities through trespass, damage to land and anti‑social behaviour. Avon and Somerset Police are treating this as a priority, focusing on prevention, intelligence gathering and robust enforcement to protect residents, landowners and wildlife.

How the public can help

• Reporting suspicious activity promptly If you see dogs being used to chase wildlife, vehicles driving on farmland, or groups acting suspiciously in rural areas, please report it. • Call 999 if the incident is happening now • Call 101 for non‑emergency information • Report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
• Providing accurate information When reporting, details such as vehicle descriptions, registration numbers, number of people involved, dog types, locations and direction of travel are extremely valuable.
• Only recording if safe to do so Photos or video can assist investigations, but only if it is safe and without putting yourself at risk. Do not confront suspected offenders.
• Supporting rural vigilance Farmers, landowners and residents are encouraged to remain vigilant, secure access points where possible and report repeated activity or patterns.
• Sharing community concerns Information about ongoing issues or community impact can be shared with your local neighbourhood policing team and helps inform patrols and enforcement activity.

Hare & Deer Coursing – A Serious Rural Crime
With the harvest season approaching and crops due to be cut throughout August, fields will become more open, making hares and deer easier to spot and therefore more vulnerable to coursing activity. We are asking farmers, landowners, and rural residents to remain extra vigilant and report any suspicious activity promptly.
Hare and deer coursing is a serious criminal offence that continues to affect our rural communities. It is often associated with organised criminality and can have a significant impact on wildlife, farming businesses, landowners, and local residents.
In addition to the cruelty inflicted on wildlife, coursing is frequently linked to:
1-Trespass on private land
2-Criminal damage to crops, gates, fences, and property
3-Intimidation and threatening behaviour
4-Anti-social behaviour and public disorder
5-Road safety concerns involving vehicles travelling between locations
Avon and Somerset Police treat rural crime seriously and continue to use intelligence-led policing, targeted patrols, and enforcement activity to prevent offending and protect our communities.
How You Can Help
The information provided by our rural communities is vital in helping us tackle coursing and associated offences.
Report Suspicious Activity
Please contact police if you notice:

Dogs being used to chase hares or deer
Vehicles entering farmland or private land without permission
Groups gathering in rural locations behaving suspiciously
Individuals scouting fields, tracks, or field entrances
Unusual vehicle movements, particularly early morning or late evening

How to Report
999 – If the incident is happening at the time and offenders are present.
101 – For non-emergency reports and intelligence.
Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111 – To provide information anonymously.
Provide as Much Information as Possible
The more detail you can provide, the better our ability to identify offenders and take action.
Useful information includes:

Vehicle registrations
Vehicle descriptions, including make, model, and colour
Number of occupants
Number and breed/type of dogs
Exact location
Direction of travel
Photographs or video footage, where it is safe to obtain them

Stay Safe
Your safety is our priority.
– Take photographs or record video only if it is safe to do so.
– Do not approach, challenge, or attempt to stop anyone involved.
Supporting Rural Vigilance
We encourage farmers, landowners, and residents to:

Remain vigilant, particularly during and after the harvest period
Secure gateways and access points where possible
Report suspicious vehicles and behaviour
Keep a record of repeat incidents
Share information with neighbours and local rural watch schemes

Working Together
If you have concerns about ongoing rural crime in your area, please speak with your local Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Information from the public helps us to:

Direct patrols where they are needed most
Identify emerging hotspots
Focus prevention and engagement activity
Build intelligence on organised offenders
Take targeted enforcement action against those responsible

As fields open up following the August harvest, the risk of hare and deer coursing typically increases. Your vigilance and timely reporting can make a significant difference in helping protect our rural communities, wildlife, and livelihoods

Fly‑Tipping – Local Policing Priority

Fly-Tipping – Help Keep Our Communities Clean and Safe
Fly-tipping remains a persistent issue across our towns, villages, and rural areas. The illegal dumping of waste not only blights the landscape but can also cause environmental damage, harm wildlife, create health hazards, and leave landowners and local authorities with significant clean-up costs.
From household rubbish and building materials to large-scale commercial waste, fly-tipping affects everyone and has a direct impact on the quality of life within our communities.
More Than Just Waste Crime
Fly-tipping is often linked to wider criminal activity, including the use of unlicensed waste carriers and organised offenders who seek to avoid legitimate disposal costs.
Avon and Somerset Police work closely with local authorities, the Environment Agency, and community partners to identify offenders, gather evidence, and take appropriate enforcement action against those responsible.
How You Can Help
The information provided by residents, landowners, and businesses is vital in helping us tackle fly-tipping and hold offenders to account.
Report Fly-Tipping and Suspicious Activity
Please contact us if you witness:

Waste being dumped from a vehicle
Suspicious vehicles parked in remote locations with waste onboard
Individuals unloading rubbish on farmland, verges, lay-bys, or public spaces
Repeat incidents at known fly-tipping hotspots

How to Report
999 – If the offence is taking place at the time and offenders are present.
101 – For non-emergency reports and intelligence.
Your Local Council – To report fly-tipped waste on public land and arrange removal.
Information That Can Help Investigations
If it is safe to do so, try to note:

Vehicle registration numbers
Make, model, and colour of vehicles involved
Descriptions of individuals
Location, date, and time of the incident
Direction of travel
Photographs or video footage

Even small details can provide valuable intelligence and assist investigations.
Keep Yourself Safe
Your safety should always come first.
-Photographs or video footage can be useful evidence if obtained safely.
– Never approach, challenge, or attempt to stop individuals involved in fly-tipping.
Dispose of Waste Responsibly
Everyone has a duty to ensure their waste is disposed of legally.
Before paying someone to remove your waste:

Check they are a registered waste carrier
Ask where your waste will be taken
Keep receipts, invoices, or transfer documentation

If your waste is later found to have been dumped illegally, you may be required to demonstrate that you took reasonable steps to ensure it was disposed of correctly.
Working Together to Prevent Fly-Tipping
By remaining vigilant, reporting suspicious activity, and disposing of waste responsibly, we can all play a part in protecting our local environment.
Your information helps us to:

Identify and target offenders
Build intelligence on repeat offending
Support enforcement action
Protect our countryside and public spaces
Keep our communities clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone

Together, we can help prevent fly-tipping and ensure our neighbourhoods remain places we can all take pride in.

Frome Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team have noticed an increase in rural vehicle crime , which included plant machinery and vehicles. These offences have a significant impact on the farming community causing substantial financial loss.

Positive progress has been made following information received from a member of the public, this led to the successful recovery of two stolen vehicles in a rural location. This highlights the value of community intelligence and the importance of timely reporting.

Ongoing actions :

• Frome NPT increased high-visibility and intelligence-led patrols in rural locations.
• Enhance engagement with local farmers, landowners and rural businesses to provide crime prevention advice and gather intelligence.
• Continue to develop intelligence through partnership working and public information to identify offenders.

Hare and deer coursing is a serious rural crime which is illegal and frequently associated with organised criminality. It causes severe animal welfare harm and has a wider impact on communities through trespass, damage to land and anti‑social behaviour. Avon and Somerset Police are treating this as a priority, focusing on prevention, intelligence gathering and robust enforcement to protect residents, landowners and wildlife.

How the public can help

Members of the public play a vital role in helping us tackle hare and deer coursing. You can support this work by:

• Reporting suspicious activity promptly If you see dogs being used to chase wildlife, vehicles driving on farmland, or groups acting suspiciously in rural areas, please report it. You can:
  • Call 999 if the incident is happening now
  • Report online through our website: Report rural or wildlife crime
  • Report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
• Providing accurate information
  • When reporting, details such as vehicle descriptions, registration numbers, number of people involved, dog types, locations and direction of travel are extremely valuable.
• Only recording if safe to do so
  • Photos or video can assist investigations, but only if it is safe and without putting yourself at risk. Do not confront suspected offenders.
• Supporting rural vigilance
  • Farmers, landowners and residents are encouraged to remain vigilant, secure access points where possible and report repeated activity or patterns.
• Sharing community concerns
  • Information about ongoing issues or community impact can be shared with your local neighbourhood policing team and helps inform patrols and enforcement activity.

Increase high-visibility patrols and intelligence-led patrols in identified hotspots areas, especially during peak times for coursing activities.
Work closely with local farmers, landowners, gamekeepers and relevant partner agencies to gather intelligence and identify offenders.
Use available powers to stop and search vehicles where grounds allow.

We are asking public to report suspicious activities/vehicles, trespassing and suspected poaching or coursing activity as soon as possible. Timely reporting enables officers to respond quickly and build intelligence on repeat offenders.

Fly‑tipping is the illegal dumping of waste and continues to affect local communities, rural areas and public spaces. It damages the environment, poses risks to wildlife and public safety, and creates costs for landowners and local authorities. Fly‑tipping is sometimes linked to wider criminality, including rogue waste carriers. Avon and Somerset Police are working with partner agencies to prevent offending, identify those responsible and take appropriate enforcement action.

How the public can help: Please report fly‑tipping or suspicious activity. Call 999 if it is happening now, or 101 to provide information. Fly‑tipping on public land can also be reported to the local council. Only record images if safe to do so and never confront offenders. Always use licensed waste carriers.

Fly-tipping remains a persistent issue across our towns, villages, and rural areas. The illegal dumping of waste not only blights the landscape but can also cause environmental damage, harm wildlife, create health hazards, and leave landowners and local authorities with significant clean-up costs.
From household rubbish and building materials to large-scale commercial waste, fly-tipping affects everyone and has a direct impact on the quality of life within our communities.
More Than Just Waste Crime
Fly-tipping is often linked to wider criminal activity, including the use of unlicensed waste carriers and organised offenders who seek to avoid legitimate disposal costs.
Avon and Somerset Police work closely with local authorities, the Environment Agency, and community partners to identify offenders, gather evidence, and take appropriate enforcement action against those responsible.
How You Can Help
The information provided by residents, landowners, and businesses is vital in helping us tackle fly-tipping and hold offenders to account.
Report Fly-Tipping and Suspicious Activity
Please contact us if you witness:

Waste being dumped from a vehicle
Suspicious vehicles parked in remote locations with waste onboard
Individuals unloading rubbish on farmland, verges, lay-bys, or public spaces
Repeat incidents at known fly-tipping hotspots

How to Report
999 – If the offence is taking place at the time and offenders are present.
101 – For non-emergency reports and intelligence.
Your Local Council – To report fly-tipped waste on public land and arrange removal.
Information That Can Help Investigations
If it is safe to do so, try to note:

Vehicle registration numbers
Make, model, and colour of vehicles involved
Descriptions of individuals
Location, date, and time of the incident
Direction of travel
Photographs or video footage

Even small details can provide valuable intelligence and assist investigations.
Keep Yourself Safe
Your safety should always come first.
-Photographs or video footage can be useful evidence if obtained safely.
– Never approach, challenge, or attempt to stop individuals involved in fly-tipping.
Dispose of Waste Responsibly
Everyone has a duty to ensure their waste is disposed of legally.
Before paying someone to remove your waste:

Check they are a registered waste carrier
Ask where your waste will be taken
Keep receipts, invoices, or transfer documentation

If your waste is later found to have been dumped illegally, you may be required to demonstrate that you took reasonable steps to ensure it was disposed of correctly.
Working Together to Prevent Fly-Tipping
By remaining vigilant, reporting suspicious activity, and disposing of waste responsibly, we can all play a part in protecting our local environment.
Your information helps us to:

Identify and target offenders
Build intelligence on repeat offending
Support enforcement action
Protect our countryside and public spaces
Keep our communities clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone

Together, we can help prevent fly-tipping and ensure our neighbourhoods remain places we can all take pride in.