FLY-TIPPERS are being warned they will be “pursued and held accountable” as Dorset steps up efforts to tackle the growing problem.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said fly-tipping is far more than an eyesore, describing it as a serious crime that damages the environment, harms wildlife and leaves farmers and landowners facing costly clean-up bills.

Writing as both Dorset PCC and a board member of the National Rural Crime Network (NRCN), Mr Sidwick said illegal dumping continues to “blight” rural communities and is often linked to organised crime.

“What some may dismiss as discarded rubbish is, in reality, a serious crime,” he said.

The warning comes as new figures reveal Dorset Council issued 80 Fixed Penalty Notices for waste-related offences in 2025 – almost double the number handed out the previous year.

Of those, 33 were for fly-tipping offences, up from 18 in 2024.

Mr Sidwick said the increase reflected a tougher approach to environmental crime and highlighted his decision to continue funding a dedicated fly-tipping enforcement officer within Dorset Council.

“This investment is already delivering tangible results,” he said, and added that offenders should expect “real consequences”.

Fly-tipping has long been a concern in Dorset’s rural areas where dumped waste can block tracks, damage farmland and leave communities footing the bill.

Rural groups say the true scale of the issue is likely far higher than official figures suggest, as many incidents happen on private land and go unreported.

The PCC said tackling the problem requires a mix of stronger enforcement, better intelligence-sharing and public awareness.

He also recently joined partners in launching a summer green waste campaign, urging residents to dispose of garden waste responsibly rather than dumping it in the countryside.

Residents are being encouraged to report suspicious activity or fly-tipping incidents through the Country Watch website.

Mr Sidwick added: “Protecting [Dorset’s countryside] from waste crime and fly-tipping must remain a shared responsibility.”