A COUNCILLOR has suggested using DNA testing to catch fly-tippers after seeing the problem worsen in recent months.

County councillor Adam Kent said fly-tipping had become an even bigger problem during lockdown – especially with building waste – which needed “more creative” solutions to not only stop but also deter people from doing it in the first place.

Cllr Kent, who represents Wythall near Bromsgrove, suggested councils – with the help of police – could start DNA testing rubbish as a way of tracking down and punishing fly-tippers.

“One of the major issues we have had over the last couple of months, particularly within Bromsgrove, is an absolute epidemic of what seems to be organised fly-tipping,” he said during a police and crime panel meeting on Monday (September 21).

“Not just rubbish that has built up in somebody’s garden but people who are using Facebook to advertise their services of rubbish collection and we are seeing tonnes of the stuff.

“We are getting instances of building and construction waste where obviously somebody has been working in the week and then dumps the whole bathroom suite in our lanes.

“One of the suggestions I have put forward for investigation is nipping this in the bud completely by DNA testing some of this rubbish. We have to find a solution to this.”

Cllr Kent admitted that whilst councils were responsible for fly-tipping many were not properly equipped to deal with people dumping 50 tyres on the side of the road in the middle of the night.

“We are finding that where we have the fly-tipping signs that they are actually using them as a guide of where to dump the rubbish. It is hugely frustrating,” he said.

He said if councils started DNA testing rubbish as well as putting up signs warning fly-tippers about testing it would have a “substantial impact” on fixing the problem.

He said he would have liked to have seen more support from West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion for his idea.

Mr Campion said: “My view is that I personally expect police to be targeting the serious and organised element [of fly-tipping], I expect them to be supporting local communities when it happens in real time or supporting the local authority afterwards and lastly, absolutely I think things that CCTV are a great deterrent but also great capturer of those that do it. My drive is to build on that. In the future years, if we need more equipment then my priority is to ensure that communities have access to it.”

Deputy chief constable Julian Moss said police would support councils in “solving the problem."