More than 15,371 incidents of fly-tipping were reported by local authorities in Hertfordshire in 2024/25 – but fewer than 200 fixed penalty notices were issued.

The data was presented to the latest meeting of the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership – and is due to be published in their annual report for 2024/25.

It shows that in the 12-month period the highest number of incidents report to Defra by Hertfordshire's local authorities were in Stevenage (3,058) and in Welwyn Hatfield (3,028).

More than 1,000 incidents were reported in a further five authorities: Dacorum 1,899; Broxbourne 1,424; North Herts 1,387; Watford 1,346; and Hertsmere 1,094.

Fewer incidents were recorded in St Albans (919); East Herts (761); and Three Rivers (455).

According to the report, across all districts and boroughs in Hertfordshire, the most commonly reported waste type to be fly-tipped was household waste, which includes materials such as mattresses, furniture, toys and textiles.

It says the number of incidents has remained "relatively stable" since the Covid-19 pandemic peak.

And this, it says, "is a positive outcome when viewed in comparison to wider trends".

Nationally, it says reported fly-tipping incidents in 2024/25 increased by 9%, compared to 2023/24. But it said it saw a smaller percentage increase of 5.5%.

In response to fly-tipping incidents, local authorities can prosecute or issue fixed penalty notices, either for fly-tipping or for duty of care.

Duty of care offences relate to an individual or company that has not adequately vetted a waste carrier and whose waste is found to have been fly-tipped.

Across the county in 2024/25, the report shows that 119 fixed penalty notices were issued for fly-tipping during the 12-month period, lower than the 188 issued the year before. And 57 were issued for duty of care, which is four more than in 2023/24.

Welwyn Hatfield issued the highest number of FPNs for fly-tipping (51). Hertsmere issued the highest number for duty of care offences (22).

The lowest number of FPNs for fly-tipping was just three issued by North Herts.

Despite recording the highest number of fly-tipping incidents in 2024/25. Stevenage Borough Council issued just six FPNs for fly-tipping – and two for duty of care.

Around the county, the number of fly-tipping FPNs issued by each authority was: Broxbourne 13; Dacorum 15; East Herts 7; Hertsmere 17; North Herts 3; St Albans 35; Stevenage 6; Three Rivers 6; Watford 15; and Welwyn Hatfield 51.

And the number of duty of care FPNs recorded in 2024/25 was: Broxbourne 1; Dacorum 2; East Herts 8; Hertsmere 22; North Herts 5; St Albans 15; Stevenage 2; Three Rivers 2; Watford 0; and Welwyn Hatfield 0.

Commenting on the data contained in the annual report, the chair of the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership, Cllr Tim Williams, who is a member of Hertfordshire County Council and Watford Borough Council, said the number of incidents had "remained relatively stable" in recent years.

And he pointed to the partnership's advocacy for tougher sentences for fly-tipping offences.

He said: " While every fly-tip is one too many, the number of incidents recorded in Hertfordshire has remained relatively stable since the pandemic, despite a significant increase nationally.

"Environmental enforcement teams across Hertfordshire's district and borough councils work hard to prevent fly-tipping and hold offenders to account.

"Alongside the use of fixed penalty notices, councils investigate offences and pursue the most serious cases in court.

"For many years, the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership has advocated tougher sentences for fly-tipping offences to ensure that penalties better reflect the environmental, financial and community impacts of this crime, and provide an effective deterrent to offenders."

The latest meeting of the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership was held on July 20.

• The Hertfordshire Waste Partnership's Annual Report is published after the release of annual local authority waste statistics by the Government. The 2024/25 statistics were issued in March (2026).