Cambridge City Council has prosecuted three individuals for environmental offences, resulting in significant fines, as the body cracks down on ecological crimes.

One individual was fined for breaching a household waste duty of care, by improperly disposing of rubbish. Another was also fined for fly-tipping household waste.

Another perpetrator was also fined for failing to microchip a dog.

All of the offenders failed to pay their fines, resulting in their cases being referred to the Cambridge Magistrates. They all failed to appear in court or entered a plea. As a result, they were found guilty and ordered to pay a cumulative £2,415 in fines. The cases were all heard on Friday 21 June 2024.

These three cases come at a time when the Cambridge City Council is facing increasing concerns over environmental issues, including a call from the Green Party to announce a water emergency over pollution in the region.

These prosecutions also follow residents in Newnham being threatened with a fine of up to £1,500 over causing an “environmental crime scene” by leaving rocks on a grassy verge.

Cllr Rosy Moore, Executive Councillor for Climate Action and Environment, said: “It is disappointing to see the number of people that have been prosecuted recently for environmental crimes. Environmental crimes, including fly tipping, show a blatant disregard for the environment and are crimes that we take very seriously”.

“These crimes can have a big impact on our wildlife and local communities, and it attracts antisocial behaviour. They also cost the council money – for example, the cost of cleaning up fly tips. This is money that could be better spent on other services if we all followed through with the simple act of disposing of our litter responsibly,” she said.