Fly-tipping is now an arrestable offence under the new Act

Fly-tipping is an arrestable offence, with a maximum �50,000 fine or five years imprisonment, under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act.

The government hopes the new Act will restore pride in local communities.

But the Tories said the Act may put financial pressure on local councils. The Liberal Democrats welcomed the Act, but called for more radical action.

Rubbish illegally dumped on roads, fields and other public spaces is a growing problem, according to the government.

It estimates that an incident of illegal waste disposal occurs every 35 seconds in the UK.

Under the new Act, littering offences have also been extended to cover all open spaces, including rivers, lakes, ponds and private property.

People want to live in a clean pleasant environment, but we all have to play our part in ensuring that is what we achieve Ben Bradshaw Local Environment Minister

In the past it was not an offence to drop litter on other people's property.

In addition to the crackdown on fly-tipping, the Act creates a raft of measures to combat litter and mess.

For example, there are two new offences to help councils deal with nuisance parking.

It has also become an offence to drop litter anywhere, including private land.

And the Act gives local authorities greater flexibility in dealing with noise nuisance.

Those caught illegally dumping waste will no longer be able to use the defence of acting under employer's instructions.

Chewing gum

Local Environment Minister Ben Bradshaw said: "The new rules will give local authorities more power to tackle environmental crime, and make everyone think about the environment around them.

"So I hope they will use these new powers to deter people from dropping anything, anywhere at any time."

He pointed out that people who drop chewing gum and cigarette butts can be given on-the-spot fines of �50, which will soon rise to �75.

Mr Bradshaw said he hoped to bring the majority of the remaining measures of the Act into force by April 2006.

"People want to live in a clean pleasant environment, but we all have to play our part in ensuring that is what we achieve," he added.

"Hopefully, the new Act will see a change in mindset, improvements in our local environment and pride restored to our communities."

Limited impact

Roy Harris, head of street enforcement at Newcastle City Council, said the effectiveness of increased fines could be undermined by the courts' unwillingness to impose maximum penalties.

"I don't know how much difference it will make.

"But there's going to be a lot of useful stuff that comes in some time in the future - like the power for councils to confiscate vehicles."