Not everyone who fly-tips sets out to be a career criminal. For some, it’s a one-off mistake or lapse of conscience – perhaps leaving an old mattress or a bag of rubbish in a quiet lane because they didn’t want to queue at the tip.
But others know exactly what they’re doing, and they do it repeatedly. These offenders often pretend to be reputable waste removal companies, advertising their services online and collecting cash from unsuspecting householders. Behind the scenes, they are cutting corners, dumping rubbish in fields, lay-bys, or backstreets, leaving councils and communities to deal with the mess.
These more “professional” fly-tippers often use clever tactics to avoid being caught. This is where private investigators can provide vital support to councils, using surveillance and investigative skills to uncover the truth and build strong evidence for prosecution.
The Tricks of the Trade: How Fly-Tippers Try to Hide Their Crimes
Disguised as Legitimate Businesses
One of the most common tactics is setting up as a “waste clearance” or “man with a van” company on social media.
They might look professional enough – logos, contact numbers, even fake paperwork – but behind the scenes, there’s no licence and no plan to dispose of waste legally. Once the rubbish is dumped, these profiles vanish overnight, leaving householders liable for fines and no trace of the real culprits.
Dodging CCTV and Fixed Cameras
Many councils have invested in fixed cameras at known fly-tipping hotspots. While useful, these cameras are not fool-proof. Experienced offenders quickly learn where the cameras are and simply avoid them.
Others will cover their faces, wear hoodies, or obscure vehicle licence plates to make identification harder. Some even change plates just out of range of the cameras, only to swap them back shortly after.
False or Altered Vehicle Registrations
Fly-tippers often use vehicles that are falsely registered or linked to fake addresses. By doing this, even if the vehicle is caught on camera, tracing the real owner can be difficult. Some criminals go further, using cloned number plates taken from other vehicles to throw investigators off their trail.
Late-Night and Remote Dumping
Another tactic is timing. Fly-tippers will often strike at night or in remote countryside locations, hoping no one will be around to see them. This makes it much harder for councils to catch them in the act without active monitoring or surveillance teams.
How Private Investigators Can Counter These Tactics
Private investigators bring skills and flexibility that static cameras and overstretched council resources cannot always provide. At EJM Investigations, our detectives use a range of methods to expose fly-tippers and gather the evidence needed for court.
Covert Surveillance
We can deploy surveillance teams to known hotspots, blending into the environment and observing activity without being noticed.
Unlike a fixed camera, a human investigator can adapt to what they see – for example, following a suspect vehicle that has just dumped waste, or noting attempts to change registration plates.
Mobile Tracking
If offenders switch tactics mid-operation, investigators can respond instantly. For example, if a vehicle is spotted swapping plates near a hotspot, our team can follow it, record the changes, and track it back to its true base or driver. This flexibility is crucial in identifying the real culprits behind repeat fly-tipping incidents.
Evidence Gathering for Prosecution
All surveillance is carried out with court use in mind. Investigators can capture high-quality photographs and video, log detailed observations, and later provide witness statements.
When required, our detectives can attend court to give evidence, strengthening the council’s case and ensuring offenders face justice.
Supporting Councils and Communities
Fly-tipping is more than just an eyesore – it costs councils millions of pounds each year and blights communities. With budgets stretched and offenders becoming more inventive, councils need every tool available to tackle the problem.
By working with private investigators, councils gain access to trained surveillance professionals who understand criminal tactics and can outsmart them. Whether it’s catching rogue “waste companies” in the act, tracking vehicles with altered plates, or providing rock-solid evidence for prosecution, investigators make a real difference in reducing fly-tipping. If you’re part of a council (UK-wide) that is struggling with fly-tipping, and you’d like to know more about how we can help within your tight budget constraints, give us a call on 01772 334700 to set up a chat.