Cotswold District Council is increasing the upper limit of fixed penalty notices for crimes such as fly-tipping, littering and graffiti.

The council has accepted the proposal from the Government to increase the upper limits for various fixed penalty notices (FPNs).

This means that in Cotswold district:

• The maximum fine for fly-tipping will rise from £400 to £1,000

• The maximum fine for litter or graffiti will increase from £150 to £500

• The maximum fine for people who breach their household waste duty of care will increase from £400 to £600.

As part of the council's commitment to clamping down on fly-tipping in the district, cameras have been installed in fly-tipping hotspots to capture any illegal activity, such as a vehicle dumping waste.

The council has carried out multiple stop and search operations this year to advise businesses of their responsibilities and to stop waste being fly-tipped or entering the domestic waste stream incorrectly.

Robert Weaver, chief executive of Cotswold District Council, said: "I'm pleased we have taken the decision to increase FPN in our district in line with the Government's proposals. Being a rural district, we are subject to a lot of criminal behaviour including fly-tipping and littering.

"It's also important for residents to remember their duty of care when paying someone to remove their waste. You must ask for their waste carrier's license and waste transfer notes, otherwise you may find yourself with a hefty fine.

"The increase in FPN will hopefully deter people from committing these waste crimes in future, as an offence will end up costing much more."