Guildford Fly-Tipping Statistics, Facts & Figures 2025

Guildford may not be a large town, but that doesn’t mean it’s free from the challenges of fly-tipping. Located in the heart of Surrey, just 27 miles southwest of London, this vibrant riverside town is known for its beautiful green spaces and easy access to the countryside. But like many places, it still faces issues with illegal waste dumping.

So, just how many fly-tipping incidents are reported in Guildford each year? And how does it compare to other areas in Surrey?

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

Fly-tipping remains a growing concern in Guildford, with incidents fluctuating over recent years. So, just how many cases are reported annually? According to figures from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA):

• 1,354 fly-tipping incidents were recorded in Guildford in the year ending March 2024. On average, that’s 9 incidents reported per 1,000 people.
• Compared to the previous year, which had 1,212 reported incidents (ending in March 2023), there has been nearly a 12% increase in fly-tipping cases.
• In 2021-2022, fly-tipping cases stood at 1,347 - a 10% decrease from the year before.
• As shown in the graph below, fly-tipping incidents in Guildford have fluctuated over the years. After peaking at 1,664 in 2021, cases steadily dropped to a 10-year low of 1,212 in 2023. However, numbers rose again to 1,354 in 2024.

Where does fly-tipping occur most in Guildford?

Fly-tipping isn’t just happening in one area—it’s a problem across the whole of Guildford. But where are the worst hotspots? According to data from FixMyStreet:

• Fly-tipping is most common in and around the town centre, particularly in Westborough, Guildford Park, and Park Barn.
• Highways are a major dumping ground, particularly near Hog’s Back Road (A31) to the west and Portsmouth Road (A4) to the northeast.
• Many incidents occur in hidden areas such as parks, grassy areas near public lanes, and rural country lanes off main roads.

The map shows all 276 reported fly-tipping cases still open in Guildford Borough Council as of 9^th June 2025 (data from FixMyStreet).

Our analysis of government data backs this up, finding that in the year ending March 2024, the locations with the highest number of illegal waste dumping incidents were:

• Highways, with 963 fly-tipping incidents, make up a significant 70% of all recorded cases.
• Footpaths and bridleways, where 190 incidents were reported, show a high concentration of cases in pedestrian areas.
• Council land, with 136 recorded fly-tipping incidents, highlights illegal dumping on public property.

What types of waste and waste sizes are most commonly fly-tipped in Guildford?

Not all fly-tipping is the same—so what kind of waste is being dumped the most in Guildford? Based on the latest government fly-tipping data for the year ending March 2024, the most common types of waste illegally dumped in Guildford were:

• Household waste, such as mattresses and fridges, was the most commonly fly-tipped waste, with 667 reported cases.
• Construction, demolition, and excavation materials were the second most common, with 189 incidents.
• This was followed by household waste in black bags, with 127 cases recorded.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the size of waste being illegally dumped:

• Transit van loads were the most frequently reported, with 532 cases. This is larger than a single bin bag or a small van load but smaller than a tipper lorry load.
• Small van loads were the second most common, with 298 cases recorded.

How does fly-tipping in Guildford compare to other areas in Surrey and the South West of England?

As always, let's look at the data to see how Guildford stacks up with the surrounding areas in Surrey.

 

• According to the latest government data, Guildford had the 4^th highest number of fly-tipping incidents in Surrey, with a total of 1,354 cases.
• Reigate and Banstead (which includes towns like Reigate, Horley, and Banstead) recorded the highest number of incidents in Surrey, with 3,283 cases.
• This means Reigate and Banstead sees 21 fly-tipping incidents per 1,000 people, compared to 9 incidents per 1,000 people in Guildford for the year ending March 2024.
• Across the 63 local authorities in the South East of England, Guildford ranks 25^th for fly-tipping incidents. The highest number of incidents in the region was recorded in Southampton, with 10,948 cases.

What legal actions can be taken against fly-tippers in Guildford?

Like the 11 other district and borough councils in Surrey listed above, which are part of the Surrey Environment Partnership, fly-tippers in Guildford can face fines of up to £50,000 or up to a year in prison if convicted in a magistrates' court. 

They may also be disqualified from driving if they are using vehicles to transport illegal waste and be sentenced to unpaid community service.

For small-scale fly-tipping, councils can issue fixed penalty notices (FPNs) of up to £1,000.

When fly-tipped waste is found on public highways, Surrey County Council is responsible for handling its removal.

Last year, the government's fly-tipping report found that in Guildford:

• A total of 12 fixed penalty notices were issued for fly-tipping. This means that less than 1% of reported fly-tipping incidents by the end of March 2024 resulted in a penalty.
• That said, 123 investigations were carried out into fly-tipping reports, and 9 warning letters were issued to offenders.

What is being done to reduce Guildford’s fly-tipping incidents?

To tackle the problem of fly tipping in Guildford, Guildford Borough Council has taken several steps. They work with Surrey County Council, the Surrey Environment Partnership, and other agencies to seize vehicles carrying illegal waste and prevent fly-tipping to protect the local environment and public health.

Residents are also encouraged to report fly-tipping through the council’s online portal. The council also advises people to use licensed waste carriers—this is where HIPPO can make a difference.

How to prevent fly-tipping in Guildford

Our local waste disposal team provides efficient and eco-friendly rubbish removal solutions for homes and businesses in Guildford, ensuring as much waste as possible is diverted from landfill. Whether it's garden waste or a single item such as a mattress, our reliable collection services help residents safely and sustainably dispose of unwanted items.

Interested in the latest fly-tipping data? We've also researched the number of fly-tipping incidents across the UK in 2025.