Fly-tipping in Hitchin and North Herts saw a 62.3 per cent increase, with a staggering 75.9 per cent increase recorded in Stevenage over the last year.

Across Hertfordhsire, the number of fly-tipping incidents increased by more than 50 per cent.

Hitchin Nub News has consistently reported on the anti-social behaviour blighting our communities.

For example, we've reported on fly-tipping in Pirton involving filthy mattresses and even an abandoned motorbike here

Latest data shows there were 17,963 incidents of fly-tipping recorded across the county in the 2020/21 financial year.

That's 6,755 – or 59.8 per cent – higher than the 11,208 recorded in 2019/20.

Increases in fly-tipping were recorded in every one of the county's 10 districts and boroughs – varying between 5.9 per cent to 184.5 per cent.

Estimates suggest the cost of cleaning up the waste and investigating the fly-tips was a staggering £1.57m.

The data was part of an annual review of the Herts Fly Tipping Group presented to a meeting of the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership.

At the meeting it was reported that household waste accounted for around 65 per cent of fly-tips.

Construction and demolition waste accounted for eight per cent, white goods for six per cent, commercial waste for five per cent and green waste for five per cent.

The report also detailed the fixed penalty notices issued by each district or borough council – and the number of prosecutions.

Across the county it reported that there had been 129 fixed penalty notices issued for fly-tipping – and a further 64 for 'duty of care'. And there were a further 24 prosecutions.