FINES handed out to people caught littering or fly-tipping have almost trebled in the last two years, the Chronicle can reveal.
According to a report, which was discussed by councillors this week, a total of 3,094 fines were issued in 2025/26 - a huge rise on 2024’s 1,225.
Although both fly-tipping and littering figures have been combined, the Chronicle understands that a large portion relates to littering.
Nine vehicles were seized last year, although just two were crushed having been involved in dumping waste.
Councillors will discuss the latest steps which are being taken in the local authority’s litter and environmental crime plan, which runs until 2030.
The report said: “In 2025/26 the council and its enforcement provider issued 3,094 fixed penalty notices for various environmental offences, prosecuted nine offenders for fly-tipping and duty of care offences.
“Significant progress has been made against the five commitments agreed in 2024, reflecting the collective effort of partners, officers and critically community volunteers whose ongoing contribution to both the development and delivery of the plan remains invaluable.
“This has been supported by a marked increase in enforcement activity, improvements to environmental infrastructure and a strengthened focus on engagement to encourage positive behaviour change.
“In 2025/26, Barnsley Council spent just under £498,000 on clearing and disposing of litter and fly-tipping.
“Levels both nationally and in Barnsley peaked during Covid-19 and after lockdown eased.
“The trend then improved downwards but has recently started to increase again.
“While the council has made major improvements in tackling litter and environmental crime through better services, stronger enforcement, education and community involvement, lasting change cannot be achieved by the council and its partners alone.
“The main challenge is preventing the problem, not just cleaning it up.
“This requires a change in behaviour and attitudes so that littering, fly-tipping, and neglecting the local environment are no longer seen as
acceptable.
“Long-term success depends on the small minority who continue to offend taking responsibility for their actions.
“Only then will Barnsley achieve the cleaner, safer and more attractive place that residents deserve.”
A revised schedule of fixed penalty amounts was introduced in summer 2024, increasing the maximum fixed penalty for more serious fly-tipping offences to £1,000.
This was intended to provide a stronger deterrent without always requiring a lengthy criminal investigation or prosecution.
In 2025/26, four £1,000 fixed penalties were issued, typically where those responsible for significant fly-tipping admitted the offence early under caution.
A further 38 fixed penalties were issued at the lower £400 level for fly-tipping and duty of care offences.
By comparison, court fines following prosecution ranged from £400 to £1,300.
“The higher fixed penalty therefore provides a proportionate enforcement option for some of the more serious and impactful offences,” the report added.
“It is also worth noting that the number of fixed penalties issued for all environmental offences in 2025/26 was double the number issued in 2023/24, which again reflects a more proportionate and robust response to increases in recorded incidents.”
