A LOCAL authority yesterday called on magistrates to take a tougher line on fly-tippers.

Members of Durham County Council's cabinet heard a report that incidents of fly-tipping had fallen since the introduction of a permit scheme last December.

It was introduced to stop businesses avoiding disposal charges by dumping commercial waste at household waste recycling centres. Such waste is thought to amount to 15 per cent of all rubbish taken to the centres.

David Miller, acting director of environment for the authority, said: "Since the permit scheme was introduced, the quantities of fly-tipped waste cleared by the district and borough councils and delivered to the county council for disposal has fallen every month compared with last year, except February."

However, Mr Miller said that fly-tipping remained a problem in the county.

Councillor Brian Myers, cabinet member for waste management, said: "Although the maximum penalties are currently a £50,000 fine and/or five years in prison, it is often disappointing that when we succeed in bringing a case to court, the penalties imposed do not reflect the seriousness of the crime.

"Potential offenders should be aware that we shall prosecute whenever the evidence allows and we are to conduct a programme to raise the profile and seriousness of fly tipping among local magistrates."