Whilst taking a walk through one of my local forests today I came across a pile of abandoned furniture including a 3 piece suite and coffee table. This isn't the first time I've seen forests and other country places used as a dumping ground, but what an earth makes people think its ok to do this?

Any ideas of what can be done/preventers or who deals with it?

I despise fly-tipping, it is one of my pet hates, especially when done in a woods or forest.

The really frustrating thing is that often it would be easier for the people to take it down the dump, but instead they load up in their car, drive somewhere at night far enough away from a town to not be seen and then dump there rubbish and let someone else take care of it.

We have had an increase in fly-tipping caused by the council now charging for pick up of large items, whereas they didn't charge before.
One guy was recently caught as the bags he dumped had his address on envelopes inside. The real crime was that he was 5 mins away from the refuse plant!! He got fined quite heavily but I don't suppose it stops others doing it.
I suppose in your case the land owner is responsible. i would report it to environmental health & see if you get anywhere with it.

In the United States, there are certain large landholders (timber companies in particular) who used to allow virtually unlimited access to property. Those companies have been forced to gate the lands, not only because of illegal dumping, but meth labs and growing of marijuana!

Kingfisher