If you are caught fly-tipping in Richmond you will immediately be £400 worse for wear.

Before today, people caught dumping waste in the borough were first issued with a warning by the council, with £400 fines only handed out to repeat offenders.

Now that grace period has been removed following a rise in the number of people dumping their waste at recycling sites, at the side of litter bins or in open spaces

From today (June 5), anybody caught fly-tipping will be handed an on-the-spot fine of £400.

Councillor Martin Elengorn, cabinet member for environment, planning and sustainability said there was "no excuse" for people.

“Fly-tipping is anti-social and a visual affront to residents who live nearby and dispose of their waste responsibly," he said.

T"he council provides bring sites, weekly domestic waste collection and litter bins in our parks and open spaces are regularly emptied.

"For those without kerbside recycling, there are also nearby recycling stations available.

“From now on anyone who fly-tips will face an immediate fine.”