Tamworth Borough Council is taking robust action to reduce the crime of fly-tipping within the borough.
Six mobile cameras are now installed at fly-tipping hot spots to catch criminals in the act, this information will then be used to track offenders and take enforcement action to bring those responsible to account.
Fly-tipping is simply the dumping of any waste where it shouldn’t be, whether that be a mattress, a bin bag of rubbish, old carpet, garden waste or construction waste. All fly-tipping is illegal. Even if you pay someone to take away your waste; if it gets dumped, you are responsible and can be prosecuted.
Fly-tipping offenders can face an unlimited fine or a prison sentence.
Council data shows that eight out of 10 fly-tips in Tamworth are household items, with over six out of 10 of these being small van loads, so many could be from criminals offering to take waste cheaply, or from those carrying out cheap garden or house maintenance jobs.
The six cameras are installed at fly-tipping hotspots and will help catch those responsible. Where possible, we will also carry out environmental improvements to deter further fly-tipping. If successful, these cameras will be used elsewhere in the borough. The cameras are mobile so will be moved to target hotspot areas. Signs will be visible to make people aware there is CCTV nearby.
Tamworth Borough Council spends a significant amount of council taxpayers’ money clearing litter and fly-tipping from those few individuals who flout the law. This money could be spent elsewhere if individuals acted responsibly and disposed of their waste appropriately.
As announced earlier in the year, the cameras are being funded by a grant from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to tackle the scourge of fly-tipping and littering at hotspots in the area.
Jo Sands, Assistant Director Partnerships, said:
“We’re serious about tackling the perpetrators of these crimes head on, and this funding from DEFRA really allows us to up our game in confronting the issues.
“Fly-tipping is illegal, but many people don’t realise that criminals can offer to take waste cheaply but don’t dispose if it correctly, so residents themselves are naively contributing to the problem.
“When paying someone to take waste, even if it’s a worker doing some garden or building work, ask where the waste is going and ask to see their waste carriers’ licence. Also make sure you get a waste transfer note. Anyone legitimate will be happy to share this information with you.”
Residents who need to get rid of large items are being urged to take them to a household recycling centre or use the bulky waste collection service provided by joint waste partners Tamworth Borough Council and Lichfield District Council. Full details can be found on Lichfield DC's website.
Residents may not be aware that if they pass their waste on to someone who goes on to dump it unlawfully, then they run the risk of being prosecuted for duty of care offences themselves, or if they leave items out for scrap men go on to dump them unlawfully. The Right Place website gives more information about correctly disposing of waste.
To report fly tipping using the online Report It form on the council MyTamworth portal, on the council website, or call: 01827 709709. You may be asked to make a written statement about what you saw.
If you see somebody you suspect of fly-tipping, please if possible, make a note of:
- The day, date and time you saw the tipping.
- How many people were involved, what they looked like and what they were doing
- Any vehicles involved - if possible the make, colour and registration number
- What was tipped: How much and what it looked like
Background notes
It is a serious criminal offence to fly-tip. Anyone - including householders - can be prosecuted under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The is now no longer a maximum fly-tipping penalty fine, as fines can be unlimited and criminals could also face imprisonment. There is also an option in the first instance for offenders, where there is sufficient evidence can be issued a £400 fixed penalty.