Local authorities in England have been accused of being overzealous when it comes to fining people who leave items outside their home for neighbours to collect for free.
The local government and social care ombudsman, Amerdeep Somal, said some councils are acting disproportionately when trying to stop what critics call ‘middle-class fly-tipping’.
In one case, a private litter warden recently gave Isabelle Pepin a £500 fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping after she left an Ikea cabinet outside her home for people to take.
‘We have found fault in some cases across London in recent months, particularly where people have left their rubbish out at the wrong time and councils have taken an overly zealous approach to enforcement,’ Ms Somal told the Guardian.
‘Nobody wants to live in a messy environment, but we urge councils to take a proportionate approach to enforcement.’
Local authorities in England will be issued with fresh guidance on how to handle this type of fly-tipping before the end of the year.
