FLY-TIPPING cost Medway taxpayers more than £300,000 in clearance, disposal and enforcement – but there were only 12 prosecutions, according to new figures.

The Countryside Alliance, which undertook a study of the scale of the problem across the UK found Medway recorded 3,130 instances of illegally dumped rubbish from April 2010 to March 2011.

The number of enforcement actions for the same period was 3,901 – higher than the number of instances because some were carried over from the previous year.

By comparison, neighbouring Swale Council dealt with 1,878 instances at a cost of £186, 264 and was also successful in prosecuting 12 offenders.

It collected £3,057 in fines as a result of court action.

Brighton and Hove Council – the comparable unitary authority in size of population to Medway recorded 1,809 instances of flytipping at a cost of £89,470.

It issued 45 enforcement notices with £1,275 paid in fines.

Medway Council said it was robust in pursuing offenders.

A council spokesman said: "All cases that are reported to the council are always fully investigated and the number of reports of fly-tipping in Medway have consistently fallen year on year, with a 44 per cent fall since 2006.

"Only last week we ran an operation with Kent Police to target illegal waste carriers and issued four fixed penalty notices for carrying waste without a licence.

The Countryside Alliance, which campaigns to protect rural areas, said illegal dumping could get worse. Chief executive Alice Barnard said: "With more cuts coming to council budgets, this problem is only going to get worse."

But the council is working to ensure this is not the case. A spokesman added: "There are more ways than ever to report fly-tipping in Medway. Incidents can be reported by completing an online form, logging on to the Love Medway website, by downloading the Love Medway app, available from most mobile phone app stores, or by texting 07725 202020.

"We are also one of the few authorities who help residents by removing household waste such as old beds and wardrobes, fridges and freezers for free," he added.

"Medway is the largest unitary authority in the south east and so it would be unfair to compare any Medway statistics alongside smaller district and borough councils.

"In addition to the recent prosecutions the Countryside Alliance mentions, we also have around 30 other cases currently under investigation.

"We urge residents to report incidents to the council on 01634 333333 or visit www.medway.gov.uk/environment."

MEDWAY Council has more than 30 cases currently awaiting prosecution for fly tipping. Some of the more high profile prosecution for fly tipping include:

The case of Kevin Harrington, 54, of Capstone Road, Gillingham, who was fined £7,500 in February after fire fighters took three hours to stop a huge blaze at land he allowed to be used as an illegal dumping site.

Adam Stevens, 21, of White Road, Chatham, was given a 12 month conditional discharge in March and ordered to pay £200 costs and a £15 victims surcharge after being paid to remove rubbish from a property in Fox Street, Gillingham and dumped it in Bloors Lane and Sharps Green – both wetland areas designated as sites of special scientific importance.

The rubbish was found by one of Medway Council's countryside rangers and passed onto the authority's environmental enforcement team to investigate.

Jason Walker, 33, of King Street, Rochester, was fined £400 and ordered to pay £200 costs and a £15 victim surcharge for disposing of rubbish from a property in Maidstone Road, Rochester last October. The waste was dumped wo miles away in Nashenden Farm Lane, an unlit country road. Walker had been paid £95 to dispose of the rubbish.

He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to Medway Council.

Douglas Seal, from Rainham, who illegally ran a waste removal company called 'Hump it and Dump it' from his semi-detached house was been ordered by a court to pay more than £1,300.