New YouGov research commissioned by the charity Crimestoppers suggests waste crime is having a serious effect on communities across the South East.
Six in ten people in the region (60%) say waste crime negatively affects quality of life in their local community, while 53% say they have noticed fly-tipped household or commercial waste in their local area in the past year.
The findings also show strong concerns about wider community impact.
More than half of South East residents (53%) agree waste crime makes their local area feel unsafe, 59% associate it with environmental damage and 56% link it to a decline in local pride or community spirit.
Crimestoppers has launched a national campaign in partnership with Defra and the Environment Agency urging people to speak up anonymously about waste criminals.
Information from the public can help stop large-scale illegal dumping and protect communities from further harm.
Kate Johnston, from the independent charity Crimestoppers said: “Waste crime is not a harmless crime. It is often driven by organised crime gangs making huge profits at the expense of our communities and environment.
“The fact that so many people are seeing this in their local area shows just how widespread the issue has become.
“We know that people may feel unsure about reporting what they’ve seen or worry about repercussions.
“That’s why our charity exists: we give people a safe anonymous way to speak up about those people harming our environment.
“The information we pass on could help stop the waste criminals and prevent large-scale waste dumping before it happens.”
Waste Minister Mary Creagh MP said: “Waste crime blights our towns, cities and countryside. New research from Crimestoppers shows the scale of the problem, with nearly two-thirds of people in England witnessing it in the past year.
“This campaign, part of this government’s Waste Crime Action Plan, is clear: if you see waste crime, report it and help us crack down on the waste criminals. Working together, we can protect each other and clean up Britain.”
Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said: “Waste criminals are motivated by profit, with little regard for the impact their actions have on local communities and the environment.
“Our 10-point plan to tackle waste crime is strengthening enforcement, disrupting criminal activity and supporting legitimate operators, but intelligence from the public remains vital.
“We have seen how members of the public often have valuable information about suspicious activity but feel unable to come forward. Through our Crimestoppers campaign, people can report concerns completely anonymously, helping us gather intelligence that will bring offenders to justice.”
