A recent rise in fly-tipping has been recorded, with 226 incidents reported between April and June last year compared to 162 in the previous three months.

But the increase has coincided with the development of additional tools to track down culprits who are breaking the law.

Now a stark warning has been issued to both unscrupulous traders and residents that the most severe punishments will be pursued.

Council officers are authorised to serve Fixed Penalty Notices on those who engage in fly-tipping. The current financial penalty is £500 and there is no right of appeal. Failure to pay the penalty within 14 days will result in a report being submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

If the case goes to court and someone is convicted of fly-tipping, they can face a fine of up to £40,000 and imprisonment for up to 12 months.

A new reporting service is operating in East Lothian to better record and map where incidents of fly-tipping occur.

An additional £85,000 had to be allocated in this year’s council budget to meet the costs associated with disposing of waste being dumped by fly-tippers in the county.

Rogue traders

A number of high-profile fly-tipping incidents have taken place in recent months, including the dumping of rubbish outside the main gate of Amisfield Walled Garden, near Haddington, in December. Charity volunteers at the 18th century garden were dismayed after wooden doors, shower screens, paint cans and plastic containers were left blighting the entranceway.

The majority of the materials dumped by fly-tippers are bulky waste including large household items.

Fly-tippers can be reported on the East Lothian Council website.