Bromley fly-tippers fined after CCTV catches illegal dumping

Two men have been ordered to pay nearly £1,000 in fines and costs following successful prosecutions by Bromley Council for fly-tipping at local recycling sites. The cases, heard at Bexley Magistrates’ Court on 21 April 2026, followed investigations into illegal dumping in Chislehurst and Green St Green.

Both incidents involved sacks of refuse being left on or beside recycling banks rather than being placed inside them. Council officials confirmed that in both instances, no attempt was made to use the facilities properly, even though the waste included items that were potentially recyclable and residents are being reminded about weekly recycling options. The use of high-quality CCTV footage was central to identifying the offenders and securing the convictions under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

CCTV evidence leads to Bexley Magistrates’ Court

The first investigation focused on an incident in Green St Green on 28 September 2025. Paul Misfud, of Bishops Butt Close, Orpington, was identified via CCTV footage depositing refuse sacks on the ground next to the recycling banks in Pinewood Drive. Following the identification, Bromley Council issued a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).

A second, separate investigation targeted an incident on 17 November 2025 in Chislehurst. Mark Brown, of Westwood Park, Forest Hill, was filmed dumping multiple full refuse sacks on and beside the recycling banks located in the High Street Chislehurst car park. Like the previous case, an FPN was issued to the offender.

In both cases, the individuals failed to pay the initial Fixed Penalty Notices, which triggered formal prosecution proceedings. On 21 April 2026, both men appeared at Bexley Magistrates’ Court and entered guilty pleas for the illegal deposit of waste.

Financial penalties for Chislehurst and Orpington residents

The court imposed significant financial penalties on both defendants, reflecting the costs of the investigation and the impact on the local environment. Paul Misfud was ordered to pay a total of £510. This figure comprised a £200 fine, a £80 victim surcharge, and £230 in prosecution costs.

Mark Brown received a total financial penalty of £400. This included a fine of £220, a victim surcharge of £80, and £120 in prosecution costs. The council has stated that these prosecutions underline a zero-tolerance approach to the misuse of community recycling facilities, which costs taxpayers money to clear and discourages others from recycling correctly.

Council warnings on misuse of local recycling facilities

Bromley Council has issued a stern warning to residents regarding the use of recycling banks. Dumping sacks beside these bins is classified as fly-tipping, regardless of whether the items are recyclable. Such actions are described as unsightly and dangerous, often preventing other residents from accessing the bins and making the collection process more difficult for waste crews.

A council spokesperson emphasized that recycling banks are emptied on a regular schedule. The official advice remains that if a recycling bank is full, residents must take their items home or visit another site rather than leaving them on the pavement or the ground nearby. Leaving waste in this manner constitutes a criminal offense that can lead to a permanent criminal record upon prosecution.

Legal disposal options and reporting procedures

Residents are being reminded of their legal duty of care regarding waste disposal. This includes ensuring that any private waste removal service used is a legally registered and licensed waste carrier. Handing waste to an unlicensed carrier who subsequently fly-tips the items can still result in the original owner being prosecuted.

For those with bulky items or excess household refuse, Bromley provides several legal avenues for disposal:

• Weekend Reuse and Recycling Centre: Located on Baths Road, this facility accepts various household items.
• Bulky Waste Collections: Residents can book an appointment directly through the Bromley Council website for the local authority to collect large items from their property.
• Reporting Fly-tipping: Illegal dumping can be reported through the council’s online portal at www.bromley.gov.uk/report.

The council continues to monitor known hotspots with surveillance technology to deter further incidents and protect the local environment across Chislehurst, Orpington, and the wider borough.

Source: Bromley Council