Fly tipper caught and fined
Telford and Wrekin Council’s efforts to work with the public around fly tipping, has secured the positive identification of an offender, allowing the council to issue fixed penalty notice of £400.
Telford and Wrekin Watch is an initiative that relies on the public, working with the council to help identify people committing an offence, through appeals using CCTV footage from around the borough.
A member of the public, who is also a member of an online group that cares for the new orchard in Homer Lake, witnessed a man, ‘launching rubbish into the hedges’ including a combination of old children’s toys including a Wendy house and trike as well as plastic bin bags containing general household waste.
The site received funding recently to create a new community orchard and is widely used by walkers, residents, environmentalists and ecologists. The resident was upset and worked with Telford and Wrekin Watch to work with the community, to help secure a positive identification.
Councillor Richard Overton (Lab) Deputy Leader Cabinet Member for Housing, Enforcement and Transport said: “This is a great example of people taking pride in their community, something we feel very passionate about at Telford and Wrekin Council.
“We only have a small team available and by residents working with us by reporting fly tips, making positive identifications and providing statements, it means we can fine the people responsible for dumping their rubbish and not respecting the place we all call home.
“No one wants their children to stumble upon piles of rubbish while out enjoying our green spaces, we hope this acts as a warning to people who fly tip that we will prosecute and instead of dumping in green spaces, use one of the free recycling centres for exactly this purpose.”
The resident has since paid the fine within a ten day period, reducing it to £200.
Along with the recycling centres, anything reusable that Telford and Wrekin collects, is offered to charity partners in the first instance, with non-reusable items sent for recycling wherever possible.
Bulky item collections will be even cheaper from April 1 too, so not only can people get rid of their waste responsibly and avoid fly tips, but these items can go on to help others.
The new cheaper prices and discounts the council is offering will make it even easier to get rid of unwanted items responsibly.
For further details visit www.telford.gov.uk/watch for details of how to report offences and the latest appeals.
