Despite fly-tipping reports falling in the East of England, Norwich bucks the trend as it saw an increase in reports of the crime year-on-year.

A total of 75,664 fly-tipping incidents were recorded across the region in 2021/22, according to new Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) data.

This was a 5pc drop from 79,726 in the previous year.

Norwich Evening News: A fly-tipping spot near Harford Park and Ride - Picture: Mike PageA fly-tipping spot near Harford Park and Ride - Picture: Mike Page (Image: Mike Page)

However in Norwich, incidents of fly-tipping went up just over 1pc from 4,755 to 4,805 in the same period.

Neighbouring Broadland saw a 19pc decrease with 508 reported, down from 629, and similarly in South Norfolk there was a total of 881, down 9pc from 971 the previous year.

Norwich Evening News: Norwich saw 50 more incidents of reported fly-tipping in 2021/22 than 2020/21 - Picture: Cameron WellsNorwich saw 50 more incidents of reported fly-tipping in 2021/22 than 2020/21 - Picture: Cameron Wells (Image: Contributed)

Lucy Galvin, city councillor and leader of the Green Party group on Norwich City Council, said that although the overall downward trend needs to be maintained, more needs to be done to battle climbing rates in the city.

She fears that the actual amount of fly-tipping is much higher than the government statistics.

Norwich Evening News: Areas along the NDR such as Reepham Road have been used as a dumping ground - Picture: SubmittedAreas along the NDR such as Reepham Road have been used as a dumping ground - Picture: Submitted (Image: Submitted)

"I am not surprised by these figures, but it’s disappointing as fly-tipping makes streets a mess and peoples’ lives a misery," she said.

"Green councillors and residents have long been calling on the city council to get a grip on this through enforcing fines on fly-tippers, offering free bulky waste collection and monitoring flytipping hotspots more closely.

Norwich Evening News: Cllr Lucy GalvinCllr Lucy Galvin (Image: DO NOT USE)

"In the meantime, it’s important to note that these are reported incidences and so it shows how important it is to report fly-tipping to the council when you see it, via the online form on the council website."

Last year, the city council launched its Love Norwich campaign to tackle environmental crime, with £100,000 allocated last month for new CCTV and enforcement.

Norwich Evening News: John Cena, chair of the Island Community Group in West Pottergate, pictured next to overflowing bins in the area in December 2022 - Picture: Denise BradleyJohn Cena, chair of the Island Community Group in West Pottergate, pictured next to overflowing bins in the area in December 2022 - Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

That includes liaising with businesses to reduce the amount of trade waste on the streets and community clean-up events in residential areas, including information on the easiest ways to dispose of bulky items.