20,000 inciDents RePORteD in last 12 MOnths

Last month the KM reported a rise in cases of fly-tipping across Kent with borough councils dealing with almost 20,000 incidents of dumped rubbish in the past 12 months alone.

There were 19,547 incidents in the last 12 months, compared with 21,014 in 2014/15 and 16,661 in 2013/14.

The greatest number was dealt with by Medway (3,559), followed by Swale (2,966), Gravesham (2,258) then Dartford (1,961).

Tunbridge Wells registered an increase of 78% with numbers rising to 696.

Nationally, councils reported 936,090 cases of fly-tipping in 2015/16, costing almost £50 million to clear up.

The number of cases reported across the country are 107 every hour, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Campaigners say financial pressure on local authorities had resulted in waste collection services being cut.

Councils were given new powers in May 2016 to hand out on-the-spot fines of up to £400.