A failure to tackle the ongoing fly-tipping crisis and improve general living conditions could be contributing to feelings of neglect and increased instances of anti-social behaviour in areas most affected, residents have said.
Recently released data revealed that seven out of the ten worst areas for fly-tipping in the UK are within London, with Croydon being the worst in the whole country.
Residents who have witnessed the fly-tipping problem first-hand say it can have a significant impact on the community, contributing to feelings of neglect and further anti-social behaviour.
Peter Underwood, the Green Party’s candidate for Mayor of Croydon, said: “You have vicious and virtuous circles.
“If it’s an area that isn’t looked after, with loads of people dumping stuff, it tends to get more stuff dumped.”
As a resident of Croydon for over 20-years, Underwood said fly-tipping has been a consistent problem in the borough and often has a real impact on the community.
“It just really gets people down. It’s sort of the emotional impact on people where it just feels like even the nice things we’ve got are being ruined,” he said.
Underwood noted how Croydon’s proximity to the motorway and various green spaces make it particularly vulnerable to fly-tipping, but emphasised the need to address it for the sake of the community.
He suggested that failing to properly address instances of fly-tipping and remove waste promptly often leaves residents feeling like no one cares about them or their area.
“If they feel they’re in an area where nobody cares, nobody’s interested. It just becomes that; it doesn’t really matter feeling,” said Underwood.
Similarly, lifelong resident of Croydon, James Dedman, 41, emphasised the need to address issues such as fly-tipping and improve living conditions in the borough.
Dedman said: “If you had a nice environment, if you had good services available, people would treat it better”
“People would act better!”
In response, a spokesperson for Croydon Council said: “Like much of London, Croydon has seen an increase in reported cases, and as a large, densely populated borough, fly-tipping is more likely to be reported.
“However, we clear around 90% of reported fly-tips in Croydon within 48 hours – helping to reduce the impact on neighbourhoods and prevent further dumping.”
Croydon Council went on to detail the various efforts being made to address the fly-tipping problem and said they have strengthened enforcement and are pursuing prosecutions for these offences.
“Alongside enforcement, we are working with Croydon’s residents and businesses to share information and advice about proper waste disposal and the risks of using rogue waste carriers,” the council added.
“We have piloted mobile recycling days in four locations to help residents dispose of waste responsibly.”
“Tackling fly-tipping means cleaning it up quickly, holding people to account, and helping prevent it from happening in the first place.”
Featured image credit: Demi Caddy
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