Fly-tipper hit with hefty fine after council issues CCTV appeal
A fly-tipper who dumped construction waste at the back of houses, causing a fire risk, has been tracked down and handed a £1,000 fine following a CCTV appeal by Telford & Wrekin Council.
Through Telford and Wrekin Watch – an initiative launched by the council to tackle the scourge of fly-tipping – an appeal was made on social media to trace the owner of an unregistered van.
The vehicle had been caught on camera tipping a load of wood and tiles in an alleyway in Urban Gardens, Wellington, in September. Footage showed a man directing the driver as he reversed the Ford Transit into the alleyway and shamelessly tipped the waste. The pile of rubbish posed a fire risk to nearby houses and had the potential to attract vermin.
Following the appeal, which went out last month, the council received information and as a result the owner of the van has been given a £1,000 fixed penalty notice which they have 28 days to pay. Failure to do so could result in prosecution.
Councillor Richard Overton, Deputy Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council and Cabinet Member for Homes and Enforcement said:
“This is an excellent example of how residents can join forces with the council in the fight against fly-tipping and bring offenders to justice.
“We set up Telford and Wrekin Watch to raise awareness of how to report fly-tips and to ask community-minded people to help us identify those who dump waste on our streets without a care.
“This successful appeal shows the council will use every tool to catch fly-tippers and make them accountable for their actions.
“We are doing all we can to prevent fly-tipping by educating residents about how to properly dispose of their rubbish but there is a minority who think it’s acceptable to leave it wherever they like. Unfortunately, it is the majority of law-abiding taxpayers who foot the bill and we want to put a stop to that.”
Residents are urged to report fly-tips on the My Telford app.
To help put a stop to fly-tipping, anyone with information that could identify a perpetrator is urged to call the council’s confidential number on 01952 388800.
The council also encourages people to visit Telford and Wrekin Watch and sign up for the latest appeals and success stories.
Photo: An appeal to trace the owner of this van has led to a £1,000 fine for fly-tipping being issued by Telford & Wrekin Council.
