You need not travel far in Waltham Forest to find a lonely mattress, abandoned toilet or tatty old three-piece-suite.

But, now new enforcement rules are being brought in, the council is claiming it can get tougher on fly-tippers.

Between 2013 and 2014 the local authority carried out 17,176 actions for the offence, the second highest of all the 32 London borough councils.

However, many streets are seen as a dumping ground for lazy landlords, dodgy builders and those who just cannot make it to the tip.

Earlier this month, central government announced it will take a tougher stance on fly-tippers, giving councils like Waltham Forest permission to seize vehicles when drivers are caught dumping rubbish.

Councillor Clyde Loakes, deputy leader and cabinet member for environment said the council has been calling for such measures for a long time, adding that tougher moves should be added.

“We've been asking for these changes for years and have been the leading voice on the subject,” he said.

“The prospect of being able to seize vehicles more easily is good news “In practice it will hopefully mean that we will be able to seize vehicles without the necessity of a court order.

“This will be the first time we have had this power and I believe it will act as a real deterrent as well as a significant measure in the punishment of those people who continue to dump rubbish in Waltham Forest.”

In addition to the seizure of vehicles, Cllr Loakes has also called on Government to allow local authorities to introduce a Fixed Penalty Notice of £500 for low level one-off offences of flytipping.

He believes it would do more to prevent the offence and avoid costly court action.

To report fly-tipping phone 020 8496 3000 or fill in the online form on the Council’s website: www.walthamforest.gov.uk.