A landowners’ lobby group is calling for a clampdown on fly-tipping across Suffolk and Essex and tougher punishment for offenders.

Country Land and Business Association (CLA) East has written to local authorities across the two counties urging action over the crime, which can cost landowners thousands of pounds to clear up.

The group, which represents around 2,000 landowners, farmers and rural businesses across the two counties, has put forward new proposals for tackling the scourge, including making the seizure of vehicles a default penalty and enforcing fines for those whose waste is found in fly-tipped locations.

It also wants new ways to be found for clearing up fly-tipping so private landowners are not liable.

CLA East said it will be contacting police forces and Environment Agency officials in Suffolk and Essex in the coming weeks as it believes a coordinated, partnership approach to tackle the issue of fly-tipping is crucial.

Results of a recent survey supported by CLA Insurance revealed almost two thirds of farmers and landowners have been affected by fly-tipping and over half agree it is a significant issue in their area. Some 85% have taken measures to protect their land such as installing gates or barriers, padlocking entrances and using CCTV, but only 13% have insured their farm business against fly-tipping.

Most victims surveyed said they had been targeted on multiple occasions, around two to three times per month, and are spending on average £844 per incident.

Out of 936,000 fly-tipping incidents nationally in 2015/2016, 129 vehicles were seized, and out of 2,135 prosecutions, 77 fines of more than £1,000 were imposed, according to government figures.

CLA East regional director Ben Underwood said private landowenrs were fed up of clearing up the mess and risking prosecution by not doing so if they don’t act.

“Fly-tipping is not a victimless crime,” said CLA East regional director Ben Underwood.

“It’s not just the odd bin bag that is being fly-tipped but tonnes of hazardous waste, mattresses being set alight in woodland and building waste dumped on farmland. We need to see tougher penalties which act as a true deterrent.”