Fly-tipping cases dropped by almost a tenth last year but there were still more than a million incidents of rubbish being illegally dumped, according to new figures published by the Government.

But in Shropshire there has been a slight increase in the number of incidents this year compared to 2008. Across the country the estimated cost of clearing up dumped rubbish was £54.9 million, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said.

In Shropshire there were 10 more fly-tipping incidents between April and August this year compared to the same period last year.

There was a total of 544 reported incidents in 2008 but that rose to 554 this year. In the UK generally there were 1.16 million cases of fly-tipping dealt with by local authorities in 2008/ 2009, a 9.3 per cent fall on the previous year.

The number of cases of large-scale and organised illegal dumping of waste also fell, according to the Environment Agency, which dealt with 818 such incidents last year compared to 851 the year before.

The agency secured more than £840,000 in fines for major waste crimes – almost twice the level taken the previous year – and eight people were jailed

Local authorities also stepped up efforts to enforce the law on fly-tipping with action taken in 520,000 cases – up 3.9 per cent on the previous year – including handing out fixed penalties and 2,000 prosecutions.

Glen McGrandle, Shropshire Council’s streetscene manager for south east, said: “We are committed to preventing fly-tipping in Shropshire. Fly-tipping damages Shropshire’s environment as well as diverting public money which could have been spent on other essential services.

“Fly-tipping is a serious offence, which carries a custodial punishment and can result in fines up to £50,000. Shropshire Council collates evidence on fly-tipping and will prosecute anyone found to be fly-tipping.”

Report fly-tipping and any information on the perpetrators on 0345 678 9006. Report problems online at www.shropshire.gov.uk/environmentmaintenance.nsf