FLY-TIPPERS dumped rubbish and waste more than 10,000 times in Caerphilly county borough in the last five years, an Argus investigation reveals.

A Freedom of Information request showed Caerphilly was the fly-tipping hotspot of Gwent with 10,438 reports -but just 67 prosecutions.

Gwent was deluged with 23,181 fly-tipping reports but these resulted in just 135 legal actions, our probe has shown.

Blaenau Gwent emerged as the least stricken area as it only received 432 reports in the last five years.

The borough also had the highest fly-tipping to prosecution ratio with 42 recorded legal actions.

Prosecutions against Caerphilly fly-tippers resulted in fines totalling £11,920.

Yet Caerphilly council spent £691,328 cleaning up the mess, plus £196,424 on other costs including fly-tipping investigations, the figures showed.

A Caerphilly council spokesman said: “Caerphilly council takes all cases of fly-tipping very seriously and culprits are prosecuted when sufficient evidence is collated.

“However, it is often difficult to gather enough evidence as fly-tippers often take care not to dispose of material containing incriminating information.

"All fly-tipped material is examined for evidence prior to clearance.

“Any evidence is collated, recorded and referred to the environmental enforcement officers for further investigation and when appropriate, legal action.”

As we revealed yesterday, Newport had 7,246 reports in five years but just five prosecutions.

All the offenders were taken to court in the last tax year resulting in fines totalling £2,600 but clean-up costs topped £300,000.

Meanwhile in Torfaen, officers received 3,065 fly-tipping reports with 18 prosecutions and offenders were handed fines of up to £535.

A Torfaen council spokeswoman said: “Fly-tipping is an inexcusable crime and every effort is made to try and identify those involved.

“We investigate every incident and our staff are trained to search for evidence to help identify those responsible.

“We currently have five pending prosecutions for fly tipping, however, evidence can be difficult to obtain and without it, or a witness to the incident, we are unable to take enforcement action.

“Removing the fly-tipped material is a significant cost to the council which is money which could be spent on delivering services.”

Monmouthshire recorded around 2,000 fly-tipping incidents in five years but only had three prosecutions.

Cllr Peter Fox, leader of Monmouthshire council, said: "All local authorities have difficulty finding any information for significant identification.

“I don't understand why these people feel the need to dump their rubbish when you can dispose of materials at the transfer stations - it is ridiculous.

"It is costing the taxpayer to clear up - It's costing a lot of money."

Brynithel Activities Group, in Blaenau Gwent, takes part in biannual litter picks in the village.

May Sweets, treasurer of the group, said they see rubbish which has been left on top of the mountain by fly-tippers.

She said: "It amazes me the level of rubbish people just throw away - they don't think about it.

"I have to say it is difficult to prosecute these people unless somebody catches them in the act and dobs them in. Even then you need proof."

A Blaenau Gwent council spokeswoman said: “Blaenau Gwent Council investigates all complaints about fly-tipping with a fully trained, experienced enforcement officer and whenever evidence is available to enable a prosecution we pursue one.

“The council is also very proactive with CCTV surveillance to proactively target fly-tippers.”