Croydon Continues to Battle Large-Scale Fly-Tipping Epidemic
Large-scale criminal fly-tipping remains a persistent and serious challenge in Croydon, according to the latest official data. Recent figures reveal a complex picture: while there has been a sharp year-on-year decline, the borough continues to experience a sustained long-term rise in these serious environmental crimes. Croydon consistently ranks among the London boroughs with the highest number of large-scale, organized illegal dumping incidents.
A Dramatic Year-on-Year Drop Masks a Long-Term Surge
Data released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) shows that in the 2024-25 period, Croydon recorded 1,585 large-scale fly-tipping incidents. This total comprised 1,537 'tipper lorry loads' and 48 'significant or multi-loads' of waste. This represents a significant 56% decrease from the 3,627 incidents reported in the previous year, 2023-24.
However, this recent improvement is set against a troubling long-term trend. The current figure remains a staggering 78% higher than the 891 incidents recorded in the pre-pandemic year of 2019-20. This indicates that despite recent enforcement efforts, the problem has become entrenched at a much higher baseline level than five years ago.
Defining the Scale of the Problem
It is crucial to understand what constitutes large-scale fly-tipping. A 'tipper lorry load' or 'significant/multi load' refers to the organized, illegal dumping of commercial, construction, or substantial household waste, typically transported by heavy vehicles like tipper trucks. These are not small, opportunistic dumps of black bags or single appliances. They represent more serious, often commercially motivated environmental crimes that are costly and complex to clear.
The historical data for Croydon illustrates this escalating trend:
- 2019–20: 814 Tipper Lorry loads, 77 Significant/Multi-Loads
- 2020–21: 855 Tipper Lorry loads, 147 Significant/Multi-Loads
- 2021–22: 1,342 Tipper Lorry loads, 144 Significant/Multi-Loads
- 2022–23: 1,130 Tipper Lorry loads, 144 Significant/Multi-Loads
- 2024–25: 1,537 Tipper Lorry loads, 48 Significant/Multi-Loads
Merton's Alarming Surge and London-Wide Comparisons
While Croydon grapples with high volumes, the neighbouring borough of Merton is experiencing a dramatic and concerning increase. After reporting zero large-scale incidents from 2019–20 through to 2022–23, Merton recorded 748 cases in 2023–24. This number then doubled to 1,500 in 2024–25, marking a 101% year-on-year increase. This brings Merton's total alarmingly close to Croydon's 1,585.
The nature of the dumping also differs between the two boroughs. Croydon's figures are dominated by tipper lorry loads, whereas Merton's surge was largely driven by 1,273 significant or multi-load incidents. The Local Democracy Reporting Service has documented major cases in both areas, including a massive fly-tip on Purley Way in Croydon, which has since been cleared.
Other London boroughs present a mixed picture. Sutton recorded a far lower 278 incidents in 2024–25 but has seen a similar long-term percentage rise of 75% since 2019–20, nearly matching Croydon's 78% increase. At the top of London's fly-tipping league, Barking and Dagenham recorded the highest total at 3,432, followed by Newham (3,113), Lambeth (1,897), and Hackney (1,799). In stark contrast, several boroughs including Camden, the City of London, Greenwich, Kensington and Chelsea, Southwark, and Wandsworth reported zero large-scale incidents.
The National Crisis and Enforcement Challenges
Croydon's situation is part of a disturbing national trend. DEFRA reports that councils across England recorded 52,000 incidents larger than a tipper lorry load in 2024–25, up significantly from 31,000 before the pandemic. While improved reporting methods may account for some of this increase, campaigners directly link the rise to organized crime. Rogue operators often pose as legitimate waste carriers before illegally dumping waste, frequently targeting rural areas.
A major complicating factor is the lack of a unified method for reporting fly-tipping across English councils, making direct comparisons challenging. The Environment Agency's 2025 National Waste Crime Survey estimates that around 20% of all waste—approximately 38.2 million tonnes—is handled illegally. This contributes to a criminal market worth an estimated £1 billion annually.
A spokesperson from the Countryside Alliance warned that the true scale is likely far larger, with only about 27% of waste crime incidents believed to be reported. "Hundreds of illegal waste sites are still operating across the country, including high-risk and so-called 'super sites' containing vast quantities of waste," they added.
Local Council Responses and Strategies
In response to its escalating problem, Merton Council has launched a concerted counter-offensive. Councillor Stuart Neaverson, Cabinet Member for Transport and Cleaner Streets, stated: "Fly-tipping is a blight on communities. In May 2025, Merton Council launched its Fly‑Tipping Strategy to hold those who dump waste in our community to account."
The strategy includes new surveillance cameras to catch offenders, a witness incentive scheme, and making a popular pop-up tips scheme permanent to facilitate legal disposal of bulky waste. Neaverson reported that over the last year alone, fly-tipping in Merton is down by 10%. He also noted the subjectivity in classifying fly-tips, which can vary based on the crew collecting it and the type of vehicle used, such as 7.5‑tonne versus 3.5‑tonne tippers.
Croydon and Sutton councils were also approached for comment regarding their ongoing efforts to combat this persistent environmental and social blight. The data underscores that while progress is being made in some areas, large-scale, organized fly-tipping remains a significant and costly challenge for London boroughs, demanding continued vigilance, investment, and innovative enforcement strategies.
