Wiltshire litter and fly-tipping fines to more than double

A council is planning to more than double the amount it fines people for fly-tipping and littering.

Wiltshire Council says it will increase litter penalties from a maximum of £150 to £500, from 23 April.

Penalties for fly-tippers will go up from £400 to £1,000.

Cllr Nick Holder, said: "This isn't a money-making exercise, as all funds raised through fixed penalty notices (FPNs) have to be invested back into the service to catch more fly-tippers."

Fines for householders who hand their waste to rogue traders will also increase from a maximum of £400 to £600.

The council is also getting rid of its early payment discount, for payments made within 10 days.

Mr Holder, cabinet member for Highways, Street Scene and Flooding, said the council has invested £150,000 in "covert cameras" and more enforcement staff to tackle fly-tipping.

"For more serious offences, we will prosecute fly-tippers - and anyone found guilty in court could face an unlimited fine or imprisonment," he said.

"We'll continue to do all we can to fight the scourge of fly-tipping in Wiltshire - and these increased fines will help us to do that."

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.