SOLIHULL council is clamping down on fly-tipping by placing CCTV in rubbish ‘hotspots’ with clean-ups costing it nearly £150,000 last year.
Four cameras have been installed in locations where repeated fly-tipping has occurred.
The council says it is an attempt to deter any further activity and gather vital evidence about who is committing the crime.
In 2017/18, there were 411 fly-tips on council land which resulted in nearly £150,000 of taxpayers money being spent to clear it.
There have already been 85 recorded cases since April 1 which can include single items such as black bags or ‘commercial’ scale fly-tips which can represent huge amounts of waste.
Councillor Alison Rolf, cabinet member for stronger communities and partnerships, said: “Tackling and reducing fly-tipping in Solihull remains a priority for the council and we hope installing these cameras will help us to achieve this.”
The council says the cameras are motion activated and will capture images within the camera’s field of view.
If fly-tipping does occur, it will give police useful evidence to help catch those responsible.
Signs will be placed in areas where the cameras are located to make people aware.
They will be trialled for six months and, depending on their success, the council will consider whether additional cameras should be installed in further locations across the borough.
Coun Rolf added: “We know that fly-tipping is a nuisance to residents and harmful to the environment, which is why we are continually looking at ways to address the problem.
“We hope that the introduction of these cameras will send a strong message to people thinking about fly-tipping, that it is not tolerated in Solihull.”
The government’s data shows there were 1,570 fly-tipping incidents reported on council and private land in 2016/17- which cost Solihull council £107,338 to clear-up.
The council has a duty to remove fly-tipping from council land only – for instance on a highway, pavement or public open space.
Private land-owners have to remove waste themselves.
Green councillor Chris Williams said he knew of ‘hotspots’ in his ward, Chelmsley Wood, such as Helmswood Drive and Circus Avenue.
He said: “I’ve been calling on the council to take a tougher line on fly-tippers for a long time – we’re not talking about the odd bin bag left next to a wheelie bin.
“We have big commercial fly-tipping on country lanes and others who dump their junk in alleyways at night where they may not be seen.
“Removing all of this rubbish costs serious money every year and investment in cameras that can be moved around will allow the council to watch some of the hotspots and then prosecute. It’s right that the council is now getting serious.”
For more information about fly-tipping visit www.solihull.gov.uk/flytipping
