Merseyside Plagued by Flytippers Dumping Toilets and Attracting Rats

As of November 10th, 2025, Merseyside is facing a surge in illegal dumping, with flytippers discarding "absolutely anything" in local neighborhoods, including toilets filled with human waste. This alarming trend has attracted a growing rat population, posing a significant health concern for residents.

In response, Sefton Council has announced plans to install more CCTV cameras in known flytipping hotspots, aiming to increase enforcement action and hold offenders accountable. According to waste operative Chris Schofield, the problem is widespread, with the team finding a variety of discarded items, from bricks and vacuum cleaners to exercise bikes and mattresses.

The council's head of highways and public protection, Peter Moore, warns that hiring cheap, unlicensed waste removal services could lead to hefty fines for residents if their waste is illegally dumped. He urges the public to "think twice" about such offers and to always verify the waste carrier's license before using their services.

The rise in flytipping incidents is not limited to Merseyside, as the national campaign group Keep Britain Tidy reports that two in five flytipping incidents are now attributed to rogue operators, rather than individual offenders. The council's area cleansing officer, Chris Beckinsdale, describes the situation as an "endless fight," highlighting the ongoing challenge of tackling this persistent problem.