The number of tyre dumping incidents in Northern Ireland rose significantly in 2017 from the previous year.
According to BBC News NI, 155 incidents were reported to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). Tyre dumping was reported 95 times in 2016 leading to just four prosecutions.
The department said that the illegal dumping of tyres was usually carried out by commercial operators keen to avoid disposal costs.
There are currently five open investigations into reported deposits.
There were six prosecutions in 2015 but the total number of incidents in that year is not available. While no particular illegal tyre dumping problem areas have been identified, “bonfire locations do feature as hotspots,” DAERA said. However, only 14 per cent of illegal tyre dumping happens at bonfire sites.
The council area with the most tyre dumping was Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, with 17 per cent of all reported incidents.
It is followed by Mid Ulster, with 13 per cent of reported incidents and Antrim and Newtownabbey with 12 per cent of reported incidents.
A total of 30 per cent of tyres dumped are simply left at the side of the road, 23 per cent are left on farmland, with 12 per cent left at commercial premises.
