Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, has welcomed a 150% increase in fines for fly-tipping as part of a wider government strategy on dealing with anti-social behaviour (ASB). Residents of Bosworth have raised with their MP the growing issue of the dumping litter and waste across the constituency, with Dr Evans calling on the Government to take action.

As part of a raft of new measures to crack down on anti-social behaviour, fines for those caught fly-tipping will increase from £400 to £1,000. The Government has also announced that council league tables will be published to improve transparency and accountability on fly-tipping outcomes.

Nitrous oxide, also known as ‘laughing gas’ and now the third most used drug among 16 to 24-year-olds in England, has also been banned.

Under the Anti-Social Behaviour Action plan, 16 areas with the highest rates of anti-social behaviour will be given funding to support either new ‘hotspot’ police and enforcement patrols, or trial a new ‘Immediate Justice’ scheme to deliver swift and visible punishments. Both schemes will be rolled out across England and Wales from 2024.

Offenders committing anti-social behaviour will be made to repair the damage they inflicted on victims and communities, with an ambition for them to start work as soon as 48 hours after their offence.

Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, said “I have heard countless times from people across our community, from farmers whose land bears the brunt of this to residents who have simply ran out of patience, how fly-tipping is a burden on our precious greenspaces. Many of our residents give up their time to litter pick and clean our hedge lines, but fundamentally we shouldn’t have to!

“I’m pleased the Government is working to tackle anti-social behaviour from problem neighbours to vandalism, I know that increased fines for offences like fly-tipping, graffitiing and littering will be welcome news to many people in Hinckley and Bosworth who want to see our environment cherished and protected.

“Tackling these crimes is key to levelling up and restoring pride in local communities.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said “Anti-social behaviour undermines the basic right of people to feel safe in the place they call home.

“The public have rightly had enough – which is why I am determined to restore people’s confidence that those responsible will be quickly and visibly punished.

“This action plan maps out how we will tackle this issue with the urgency it deserves and stamp out these crimes once and for all – so that wherever you live, you can feel safe in, and proud of your community.”