Fly-tipping in Northumberland has not increased since the waste recycling centres were closed, despite concerns that it could result in more incidents.

All of the county’s household waste recovery centres have been closed since Tuesday, March 24, while Northumberland County Council has also suspended all bulky household waste collections.

Bin collections are continuing as normal, however, including garden waste – although new customers are not able to apply for a garden waste bin at this time.

A council spokesman said: “We haven’t noticed any particular increase in fly-tipping since the household waste recycling centres were closed, but we are continuing to monitor hotspot areas and respond to any calls we get.

“We do appreciate residents’ support in keeping the waste they would normally take to the tip at home during this current closure period.”

The CLA, which represents owners of land, property and businesses in rural areas, is encouraging both landowners and farmers, along with the public, to report any fly-tipping incidents to their local authorities.

Its director north, Dorothy Fairburn, said: “It is shocking to hear reports of fly-tipping incidents especially at this time of lockdown. The closure of tips is understandable, but can’t be used as an excuse to dump rubbish in our countryside.

“Local authorities don’t usually get involved with clearing incidences of fly-tipped waste from private land, leaving the landowner cleaning up and footing the bill, and, if not, they risk prosecution for illegal storage of waste. This is simply not right or fair.”

Coun. David Renard, environment spokesman for the Local Government Association, which represents councils, added: “Most council-run general waste and recycling kerbside collection services are operating as normal. This is testament to the hard work of councils.”