THE number of fly-tipping incidents in Slough and the Royal Borough has soared in the past year, recent figures show.

According to rural insurance broker Lycetts, Windsor and Maidenhead have seen the worst increase, with a 115 per cent more rubbish illegally deposited.

Statistics show 2034 fly-tipping incidents were recorded in the borough in 2020/21, compared to 944 in 2019/20.

Former Royal Borough Conservative councillor Ed Wilson said fly-tipping in parts of Windsor is “out of control”.

He said: “I regularly remove fly-tipping from streets, lanes and hedges in Windsor, RBWM street cleaners are doing a great job in clearing up but they are fighting a losing battle.

“We're picking up bags of household rubbish, clothes, furniture and car parts while Windsor's councillors do nothing about the issue.

“We don't need to live with other people's rubbish, RBWM must fine fly-tippers, especially repeat offenders, or the situation will only get worse.”

READ MORE: Record level of fly-tipping in Windsor and Maidenhead

Councillor David Cannon, cabinet member for public protection for RBWM, explained the council takes a zero-tolerance approach against all forms of fly-tipping in the area.

“Those who fly-tip their waste are being irresponsible with little thought for the harm their selfish actions can cause the environment, wildlife and, potentially, the public,” he said.

Cllr Cannon added there’s many ways to get rid of waster responsibly at local recycling centres.

He said: “The council has a dedicated enforcement team to tackle environmental crime in order to make the borough a cleaner and safer place to live, work and visit.

“We always seek to prosecute or fine fly-tippers when there is sufficient evidence to identify an offender.”

And Cllr Cannon also highlighted residents can use the Stafferton Way Household Waste and Recycling Centre, in Maidenhead, and Chalvey Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Slough.

Windsor and Maidenhead Council carried out 2,226 enforcement actions in 2020/21, including 155 fixed penalty notices.

Slough has also seen a rise with 2821 incidents in 2020/21, which was up from 1567 in 2019/20.

Councillor Martin Carter, lead member for housing and environment for Slough Borough Council, said: “It is disappointing we still have a large number of fly-tips, but it is also testament to our reporting systems, which makes it easy for people to tell us where and when they have spotted one.

“We have a fantastic facility at Chalvey Household Waste and Recycling Centre, which is open to both Slough and Royal Borough residents.”

And for anyone who can’t bring items to HWRC themselves can use the council’s bulky waste collection service.

READ MORE: The worst fly-tipping areas in Berkshire - find where you live

Cllr Carter added: “Our resilience and enforcement team work hard to investigate fly-tips and find those responsible, so they can be penalised.

“We are committed to tackling fly-tipping and make it as easy as possible for people to take their waste to the HWRC.”

The council is also encouraging the use of a registered waste carrier if there is lots of waste.

Also in response to the latest figures, Tirza Meinema, of Slough Anti-Litter Society, said: “We can try to come up with explanations such as maybe the recycling centres were closed because of lockdown or something like that but it is just rotten inexcusable behaviour.

“There has to be more action on this by the council and police, it is criminal behaviour and needs to be punished as such.”

Mrs Meinema added residents have to take their responsibility in keeping Slough tidy.

“Do not assume that small actions, like throwing an empty bottle in the bushes does not have an impact, because it does,” she said.

“The fact is that litter attracts litter, aka the broken window theory, visible signs of anti-social behaviour attract more anti-social behaviour.

“Let's all do our bit to make Slough tidy and be the change you want to s