Flytipping incidents in Ipswich have risen by almost one-third in the past three years according to new figures.

A Freedom of Information (FoI) request revealed Ipswich Borough Council had 730 recorded incidents in 2014/15, costing £32,016 to clear-up – compared to 560 incidents and £26,187 in 2012/13.

The authority has prosecuted one person each year.

Incidents in other council areas in Suffolk are fairly static, though Mid Suffolk District Council saw a 53% rise in the number of fly-tips with 215 incidents in 2012/13 and 330 last year.

An Ipswich Borough Council spokesman said: “This is a growing problem faced by councils across the country and clearing up does incur a financial burden.

“However we will take action whenever we can, although catching the culprits and finding the evidence is not easy.”

The details were released by the council after a national investigation by the Press Association.

Across England last year there were 529,462 cases across 201 councils, up from 527,777 the previous year and significantly higher than in 2012/2013.

However around two-fifths of councils, including Forest Heath District Council, recorded a reduction in the last year despite the overall rise.

Costs also rose, though many authorities said the figures were included within existing waste contracts, with 144 councils spending £16.2million in 2014/15, up from £13.6m in 2012/13.

The number of council prosecutions also increased from 982 in 2013/14 to 1,216 last year.

The Local Government Association (LGA) wants extra powers for councils to be able to issue on-the-spot fines for some fly-tipping cases, saving councils the expense and time of having to go to court.

It is also calling for local authorities to be awarded full costs in successful prosecutions.

Peter Box, the LGA’s environment spokesman, said money spent on fly-tipping could be better spent on other services.

The Press Association figures did not include any Essex councils, but an East Anglian Daily Times investigation earlier this year revealed there were 3,609 incidents in Colchester, Tendring and Braintree in 2013/14.