How to protect commercial properties from fly-tipping

Whether it’s old mattresses, rusty white goods or sacks of general rubbish, fly-tipping on commercial properties is an expensive hassle.

As the property owner, you’re responsible for safely removing what someone else has carelessly dumped.

When people want to get rid of waste without paying, your commercial property could be a fly-tipper’s dream. To them, it’s a large empty space away from the eagle eyes of their residential neighbours.

How can you protect your commercial property from fly-tipping? In this blog, we’re about to give you some useful (forgive the pun)… tips.

Secure the entrances

Fly-tippers are looking for easy access. They want to drive in, dump the rubbish and get out again before anyone spots them.

Make sure your property’s entrance points and perimeters are secure. Bollards or concrete blocks are a good option.

To a fly-tipper intent on dumping large amounts of bulky waste, they present an impenetrable barrier. Bollards and concrete blocks make it impossible for them to use a vehicle for a quick drop-off and fast get-away.

Install high fencing

Some fly-tippers are more determined than others, particularly when the waste is hazardous. If something is difficult to dispose of legally, they’re often prepared to put effort into dumping it illegally.

Unless you have high fencing, they can simply get out of the vehicle, proceed on foot and chuck it onto your land without having to gain direct access.

Your boundary fences should be robust, well-maintained and, above all, high. Police forces in the UK generally recommend a minimum height of 2.1 metres.

They can be higher, although your local council probably has height restrictions. Very high fences often require planning permission so it’s worth checking with the relevant LPA.

Set up CCTV and alarms

CCTV and alarms serve two useful purposes when it comes to protecting your property against fly-tipping.

Firstly, you can catch perpetrators in the act. There are hefty fines for dumping rubbish and obviously, fly-tippers don’t want to get caught and convicted.

This brings us onto the second good reason for installing CCTV and alarms. They act as a deterrent. Alarms and surveillance cameras are incredibly off-putting to potential criminals. They’ll go elsewhere — somewhere that isn’t protected by CCTV.

Make sure the cameras are positioned to cover hot spot areas. Even better, consider installing highly visible CCTV towers. They provide a 360° view and, at 6 metres tall, are blindingly obvious to anyone considering dumping rubbish on your commercial premises.

Put up signs

If you have CCTV, you’ll need to display signage which lets people know that cameras are in place.

In areas covered by camera surveillance, signage is a legal requirement and, when displayed prominently, an advantage. The signs themselves become another tool in the deterrent box.

As well as alerting people to the presence of CCTV, the signs can make it clear that fly-tipping on your property is illegal. It’s punishable with a fine of up to £50,000 and/or a 12 month prison sentence.

Install bright lights

Most fly-tippers operate at night. They love darkness because they believe it protects them from being seen.

Bright lighting makes their lives difficult. There’s nowhere to hide.

Carry out an assessment of the darkest areas on your commercial property. These areas will be a magnet for fly-tippers. Lighting them reduces their attraction, and increases the chances of catching any criminals who are brave (or stupid) enough to risk it.

Motion-sensor lighting is a cost-effective way to shine a spotlight on intruders. Combined with CCTV, it provides the police with a well-lit image of the perpetrator.

Make regular checks

Checking the property regularly is important, particularly if it’s vacant. Most fly-tipping happens on sites which appear to be empty and unattended.

Firstly, you get an early alert to any fly-tipping activity, allowing you to clear the rubbish away quickly. You won’t want to make it too obvious that the property is empty. If rubbish is left there, the result will be more fly-tipping.

Secondly, regular checking makes it look as though a vacant property is occupied. It’s worth considering mobile patrols. They deter potential fly-tippers, as well as squatters and vandals.

Employ a security officer

The number one measure for protecting your property against fly-tipping is manned guarding.

Once a potential intruder sees a security officer patrolling the site, they know the chances of detection are simply too high. It’s not worth the risk.

At a vacant commercial property, these highly-skilled individuals act as your eyes and ears. They’re constantly on the look-out for illegal activity, and are trained to deal with it safely and efficiently.

For a no-obligation chat about how we can protect your property against all forms of criminal activity, call the Classic Services Team on 08445 610 578 — or send a message via our contact form.