INCIDENCES of fly-tipping in Billericay, Wickford and Basildon have plunged by 84 per cent in the past five years, new figures reveal.
Stats released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) show that Basildon Borough Council dealt with 1,200 cases of fly-tipping in the 2011/12 financial year, compared to 7,466 in 2006/07.
The figures also show how the number of cases fell from 2,548 in 2010/11 to 1,200 last year – a reduction of 48 per cent and well above the average fall of 9 per cent across England.
The data goes as far back as 2005/06, when 8,586 incidences of fly-tipping were recorded by the council.
This fell to 7,466 a year later and the number of cases has fallen every year since.
Councillor Phil Turner, the deputy leader of Tory-controlled Basildon Borough Council, welcomed DEFRA's figures.
He said: "Basildon is very much an aspirational council.
"We will be heartened by these figures but I know my colleague John Dornan [the council's cabinet member for environment] won't stop at that.
"He will want better and better services from the council and he will also want residents to report more and more incidences of fly-tipping so that we can deal with it by enforcement."
Mr Turner, who represents Billericay West, said the council had taken a number of steps to cut fly tipping, such as the provision of a bulky waste collection service.
He added: "People across the borough take pride in their neighbourhood and when fly-tipping occurs, not only can it be unsightly it can also be hazardous.
"If we do find people who are fly-tipping then we will prosecute."
Billericay's MP John Baron said: "This is excellent news and well done to the council for the various measures it has introduced to discourage fly-tipping.
"Fly-tipping creates an eyesore for the whole community when people just dump rubbish at will."
Fly-tipping can be reported by calling the council on 01268 533 333 or by visiting www.basildon.gov.uk
