Mr Scott said: “What this summit is about is bringing together those who have the powers like the Environment Agency and local councils to see how we can work better to tackle this criminality because, tragically, the outcomes for fly-tipping and waste crime are very low.”

In the two years up until December, the EA received 3,407 incident reports of suspected criminal activity, such as dumping and burning waste, in the South East region.

Sussex PCC Katy Bourne said one of the aims of Tuesday’s event was to clarify the reporting chain.

“The problem with this is there are quite a few agencies involved, and it’s difficult to know, from a member of public’s point of view, who do you report to in the first instance,” she told BBC Radio Sussex on Tuesday.

The conference will also explore whether a “dedicated analyst” is needed for the South East, she added.

While the EA is responsible for larger-scale fly-tipping, more than a lorry load, smaller incidents on public land fall under the remit of local authorities.

Large scale fly tipping is punishable with a fine of up to £50,000 or 12 months imprisonment if convicted in a magistrates’ court, or an unlimited fine and up to five years’ imprisonment if convicted in a crown court.

The conference will be held at the Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council building in Kings Hill, Kent.