THE government faces a call for urgent action following a 50,000 increase in fly-tipping incidents.

A government study of local councils in England also reported the total cost of clearing illegally dumped waste was just over £49.5m in 2014-15 compared to £45.2m in 2013–14.

The total number of incidents in England has now risen by almost 200,000 in the past two years from 711,493 to 899,763.

Many rural local authority areas appear to have borne the brunt of the increase.

In Yorkshire, for example, there were in excess of 64,000 fly-tipping incidents in 2014/15, costing local councils more than £3.7 million to clear up.

In eastern England, the rise in incidents cost Norfolk County Council almost £700,000.

In the Midlands, the total cost to Nottinghamshire's local authorities was £410,175.

Out of almost 900,000 incidents reported to local councils across the country, 515,000 resulted in action being taken – but there were fewer than 2000 prosecutions.

A total of 38,148 fixed-penalty notices were issued.

Ben Underwood, eastern region director for the Country Land and Business Association, said greater action was needed in order to reverse the figures.

The number of incidents would have been even higher if incidents on private land had been included in the statistics, he claimed.

"The figures are shocking, but not a surprise," said Mr Underwood.

"We deal with reports and complaints relating to fly-tipping from farmers and landowners on a regular basis.

"We know it is an enormous problem and one that is not going to go away without a more proactive approach from both councils and central government.

"We support repeat or large-scale offenders having their vehicles seized and crushed, and on-the-spot fines being issued to those caught in the act of fly-tipping household items or rubbish."

Not all local councils were making use of such sanctions, said Mr Underwood. There was a need for them to increase their efforts to deter fly-tipping and to penalise the culprits.

"The government also needs to show national leadership and create a framework for action."

On average, it costs £800 to clear up each incidence of non-toxic fly-tipped waste on private land. In total, it costs the rural business sector up to £150 million in clean-up costs every year.

"The CLA has put forward proposals for changes to the law and will continue to lobby Government so that it provides better protection and assistance for private property owners."

The full report can be read here.