Police Commissioner Affirms Leaving Unwanted Furniture Outside Homes Constitutes Fly-Tipping

The Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), David Sidwick, has indicated that individuals who place unwanted furniture outside their residences for others to collect without charge are engaging in fly-tipping. This statement came as Mr. Sidwick addressed a situation where a woman in Southbourne, Bournemouth, received a £500 fine for leaving furniture outside her home with an invitation for people to remove it. Isabelle Pepin’s actions resulted in a penalty and extensive media coverage of the event. Mr. Sidwick expressed his view that comparable activities are unlawful. Addressing a county-wide police and crime panel meeting, he stated: “There seems to be a sort of philosophy occurring that if you throw something outside your front door and hope somebody comes to get it that’s not fly-tipping. “I’m sorry, but I think it is.” The commissioner advocated for zero tolerance regarding “micro tipping,” which involves the disposal of small quantities of waste, as well as for waste disposal orchestrated by criminal elements. He mentioned that his office contributed partial funding to a fly-tipping co-ordinator position for Dorset Council, which has led to a twofold increase in prosecutions. In certain rural regions, a team of up to ten individuals, frequently on horseback, assists in reporting instances of rural fly-tipping, he elaborated. Mr. Sidwick urged individuals to utilize social media platforms to advertise items they no longer desire, as an alternative to fly-tipping, or to ensure proper disposal. He further advised: “If you are disposing of waste make sure the person doing it for you is a reputable person because you will be subject to the fine, or sanction.” He continued: “If it is subsequently found it is your stuff which has turned up where it shouldn’t be… it’s not only the carrier, but the person who has employed the carrier.” Regarding Ms. Pepin’s situation, she stated that a cabinet was placed outside because it “still had some life left in it.” An enforcement officer delivered the fine to her at her residence, following a warning three weeks prior to remove the cabinet from the street. She commented: “I have been living here for 12 years and I been doing this for 12 years and I’ve never had any complaints or indication that this was something that was illegal.” Ms. Pepin subsequently appealed the ruling, but her appeal was denied. Kieron Wilson, who serves as the authority’s portfolio holder for housing and regulatory services, stated at the time that fly-tipping represented a significant concern for residents. He remarked: “If you leave waste on land that isn’t yours, you risk a heavy fine.” The council issues a fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping, amounting to £500 if settled within 14 days, or £1,000 if paid within 28 days.