Call for clampdown on illegal dumpers

A clampdown on flytipping and the illegal dumping of waste has been demanded by MPs.

They have called for far harsher penalties for rogue firms and described London as the "armpit of the country" because of a huge increase in fly-tipping.

They claim the capital's problems have been exacerbated because criminal gangs have turned to illegal dumping, with some making profits of up to £1 million a year.

They do this by undercutting legitimate disposal firms by offering to remove waste and then dumping it on private land or secluded spots.

The Environment Agency has reported a rise in threats and attacks on its staff, with 128 cases of threatening or intimidating behaviour last year. In London, a worker was set on fire when he tried to prevent a lorry seized from f ly-tippers being removed from a pound.

The report, from the Commons environmental audit committee, backs harsher fines or jail terms for repeat offenders. At present, the average penalty is about £2,000 - a fraction of the cost to local authorities to clear sites.