CCTV Catches Fly-tippers.

CCTV instrumental in helping councils catch more fly-tippers.

17:52 04 December 2017

New figures show that enforcement actions by Welsh councils against fly-tippers have hit at least an 11-year high – thanks to CCTV systems.

 

Between 2016 and 2017, councils have carried out 39,308 actions, which include prosecutions, fixed penalties and cautions. This number if up to 33per cent higher in the previous year.

 

The Welsh government said that CCTV and “intelligence sharing” helped catch offenders.

 

A Welsh Local Government Association spokesman said: "As the costs of legitimately disposing of waste increase through the landfill escalator, so does the danger that some will seek to circumvent the system."

 

"However, as councils tackle the issue in partnership with bodies such as Fly-tipping Action Wales and Natural Resources Wales and get more successful prosecutions, the public has become more aware of the issue," he added.

 

A spokeswoman for Fly-tipping Action Wales has welcomed a near-70% increase in fixed penalty notices handed out to offenders last year.

 

"We will continue to work with local authorities and Natural Resources Wales to help improve enforcement outcomes including prosecutions, which is generally the most appropriate enforcement response for repeat offenders and those responsible for more serious cases of fly-tipping," she said.