Bournemouth Fly-Tipping Statistics, Facts & Figures 2025

The coastal town of Bournemouth boasts a wide range of beautiful scenery, from sandy beaches to rolling hills and dramatic cliffs. However, it's also home to some of the highest rates of fly-tipping in the South West of England.

In the UK, there are 3,175 cases of fly-tipping reported every day, which is equivalent to once every 27 seconds! But just how many fly-tipping incidents are reported in Bournemouth each year? And how does it compare to other coastal towns and areas in the South West of England?

How many fly-tipping incidents are reported in Bournemouth each year?

Since 2019, Bournemouth has joined with Christchurch and Poole to form the Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council (BCP). During this time, fly-tipping has continued to be a problem in the area. But how many cases are reported each year?

According to figures from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA):

• BCP Council reported 2,792 fly-tipping incidents in the year ending March 2024. That’s about 7 incidents for every 1,000 people.
• This means that in 2023-2024, the BCP saw the second-highest number of fly-tipping cases in the last five years.
• The previous year, ending March 2023, saw the highest number with 2,840 incidents. That means there was a small drop of 1.7% in 2024.

Where does fly-tipping occur most in Bournemouth?

Fly-tipping is a problem in many parts of Bournemouth, not just one area. So, where is it happening the most? According to data from FixMyStreet, collected on 14th April 2025:

• Fly-tipping is most common in residential areas between Winton and Springbourne.
• There are also several reports of rubbish being dumped on highways and roads in the town.

Our analysis of government data supports this, showing that in the year ending March 2024, the most common locations for illegal waste dumping in BCP were:

• Highways, with 2,767 fly-tipping incidents accounting for nearly all reported cases.
• The majority of fly-tipping cases in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area appear to be concentrated in the busy town of Bournemouth, with fewer incidents reported in Christchurch and even fewer in Poole (see below).

With FixMyStreet data being live and constantly updated, the whereabouts of fly-tipping locations reported is ever-changing. To find the most recent data for the area, it's important to check the platform in real-time.

The map shows all reported fly-tipping cases still open in the Bournemouth area as of 24^th June 2025 (data from FixMyStreet).

This maps shows all reported fly-tipping cases still open in the Christchurch area as of 24^th June (data from FixMyStreet).

This maps shows all reported fly-tipping cases still open in the Poole area as of 24^th June 2025 (data from FixMyStreet). 

What type of waste is most commonly fly-tipped in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?

According to the latest government report, most fly-tipping incidents in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole involved single items, with 1,144 cases reported.

• This was followed by 670 incidents where rubbish up to the size of a car boot or less was dumped.
• There were also 532 reports of fly tipping, equivalent to small van loads.
• And a further 446 cases involved illegal waste the size of transit van loads.

But not all fly-tipping is the same—so what kind of waste is being dumped the most in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole? The most common types were:

• Other household items, like sofas, carpets and furniture, with 2,317 reported cases.
• White goods, such as fridges and freezers, were next, with 196 incidents.
• Construction, demolition and excavation waste came third, with 112 cases.
• This was followed by 84 incidents involving electrical items and 56 cases of commercial waste being illegally dumped.

How does fly-tipping in Bournemouth compare to the rest of Dorset and the Southwest?

• Out of 27 local authorities in the region, Bournemouth recorded the sixth-highest number of fly-tipping incidents (2,792).
• To put that into perspective, Wiltshire—a much larger area than Bournemouth—had a similar number of cases, with 2,789 incidents.
• Bristol topped the list, with 8,556 incidents, making it the worst-affected area in the South West.
• Looking at similar coastal resort areas, Torbay—which includes towns like Torquay, Paignton and Brixham—reported 1,013 fly-tipping incidents.
• Meanwhile, in Dorset, there were 1,719 fly-tipping incidents in the year ending March 2024.
• Like Bournemouth, most of Dorset’s cases happened on highways (1,102), followed by footpaths and bridleways (294 cases).

What actions are being taken against fly-tipping cases in Bournemouth?

Since the merger of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Councils, there hasn’t been much recent data published on their annual actions against fly-tipping. The most up-to-date figures cover the period between September 2021 and July 2022, during which:

• The BCP Council issued 320 fines against fly-tipping cases.
• They also conducted 825 business inspections, resulting in 305 Fixed Penalty Notices.

What is being done to reduce Bournemouth fly-tipping incidents?

In Bournemouth, if you are caught fly-tipping, you can receive a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN), which carries a fine of up to £50,000. However, if you pay early, you may receive a discount—£500 if paid within 14 days, or £1,000 if paid within 28 days.

The BCP Council has proposed plans to reduce these fines after concerns were raised about the £1,000 flat-rate penalty being issued to residents for illegally dumping waste. Under the new proposals, a fine of £300 would be issued for items left outside someone’s home or residence, while more serious cases that cause obstruction could lead to a fine of up to £600. Despite these changes, the £1,000 fine would still apply for the most serious fly-tipping offences.

The goal of these changes is to support and empower communities that are doing their part to reduce fly-tipping, while ensuring that serious offences are still dealt with firmly. These higher fines will continue to apply in cases where waste is dumped in more dangerous or disruptive locations, such as highways.

Since 2021, BCP Council has also focused on educating local communities and businesses about legal waste disposal. Alongside this, they have been developing new ways to investigate fly-tipping incidents and working to maintain strong communication across the town and surrounding areas to help prevent future cases.

Professional waste disposal services in Bournemouth

Fly-tipping continues to be a problem on highways in Bournemouth, but residents can make a real difference by choosing responsible ways to dispose of waste. That’s where HIPPO comes in. Our expert rubbish removal services in Bournemouth offer flexible and affordable options—from skip hire to fully licensed Man and Van collections—helping you get rid of unwanted items without risking fines for illegal dumping.

HIPPO collects and disposes of a wide range of waste, including white goods, garden waste, and furniture, across Bournemouth. If you're based in the wider Dorset area, we also provide rubbish collection services in the county, ensuring we can reach you wherever you are.