Stoke-on-Trent saw more than 16 fly-tipping incidents a day last year, new figures show.

Official government data reveals that there were 5,893 incidents of illegal dumping reported to Stoke-on-Trent City Council in 2024/25.

This was around 500 more than the previous year, and the highest annual total since 2016/17.

While the majority of incidents in Stoke-on-Trent last involved small van loads, there was an increase in major fly-tipping offences, which have been a growing concern nationally.

There were 181 incidents involving 'significant/multi loads', up from 168 in the previous year, and 370 involving tipper lorry loads, up from 173.

But the figures also show that the city council took a record 5,136 actions against fly-tippers in 2024/25, including more than 2,000 fines.

The council launched its IDIOT – Illegal Dumping In Our Towns – campaign in 2023, promising to clear hundreds of fly-tipping hotspots and boost enforcement action.

And council leaders say their 2026/27 budget will result in even more action, with a £462,000 investment in 'enhanced' environmental enforcement.

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Deputy council leader Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride and enforcement, believes the increasing reports of fly-tipping show that the council's approach is working.

He said: "The reason why the number of reports is going up is because people believe that something will be done about it. People stopped reporting incidents before because nothing was being done.

"Now they know that the council will take action, we'll clean it up and go after the fly-tippers. I think it's important that we do take action, because fly-tipping is a crime.

"It's not just about the fines, it's about education as well. We want to encourage people to take pride in their city. We'll be launching a new campaign in the spring."

Most fly-tipping in Stoke-on-Trent takes place in back alleyways, with 3,129 incidents recorded in 3,139. There were 1,038 incidents on council-owned land, with 210 at private homes.

There were 262 incidents where white goods were dumped, 46 involving tyres and 12 asbestos incidents.

The city council issued a total of 2,109 fixed penalty notices in relation to fly-tipping in 2024/25, the highest annual total. This included 274 issued specifically for fly-tipping, and a further 1,328 which related to household duty of care.

This means that householders had failed to take all reasonable measures to ensure their waste was disposed of properly.

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The level of fines issued by the city council are currently £500 for fly-tipping from a domestic property, £600 for household duty of care, and £1,000 for fly-tipping from a commercial business.