JUST one person has been issued with an ‘on-the-spot’ fine for fly-tipping in the New Forest during the first year of the new penalty coming into effect, new figures have revealed.

The powers, which were introduced in May 2016, allow councils around the country to issue fixed penalty notices (FPN) worth between £150 and £400 for anyone caught dumping their rubbish.

Figures have shown that New Forest District Council (NFDC) handed out just one FPN – for £300 after more than 200kg of waste was dumped near Vereley Car Park in Burley in January – in the 12 months to May 8.

The news comes months after it was reported that fly-tipping was happening almost every week of the year across the New Forest.

In recent weeks, proposals for cuts to Hampshire County Council’s budget, which included the possibility of closing half the county’s waste recycling centres, sparked fears of fly-tipping.

Speaking at a select committee last month, Lymington councillor Michael White said: “Losing our site will only result in more fly-tipping.”

A NFDC spokesperson added: “Fly-tipping is unacceptable and puts our residents, wildlife and environment at risk.

“We will work with our partners to act swiftly and fine those responsible whenever possible.”