OFFICIAL figures have revealed that Hertsmere had the fewest number of flytipping incidents in the county last year. The statistics, released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, show there were 344 flytips

OFFICIAL figures have revealed that Hertsmere had the fewest number of flytipping incidents in the county last year.

The statistics, released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, show there were 344 flytips in the borough during 2008/2009.

This equates to just 2.37 per cent of the county's total of 14,495.

The figures also show that most of these flytips are small vanloads of rubbish, dumped on footpaths or bridleways across Hertsmere.

Jean Heywood, environment portfolio holder at the borough council, said: "Flytipping is illegal and a blight on local areas, whether it's in the countryside or on a high street.

"It will not be tolerated in Hertsmere and these figures show that we are performing well to rid the borough of this problem.

"Our environmental health officers regularly act on flytipping and will sort through rubbish to find clues about who has dumped it.

"Their hard work paid off earlier this year when their investigation into regular flytipping in Borehamwood led to a prosecution."

Flytipping is a serious criminal offence and carries a fine of up to �50,000 or up to five years in prison.

If you have information on flytipping, call the council on 020 8207 2277 or email street.scene@hertsmere.gov.uk