THE perpetrators of fly-tipping and littering are being met with live cameras, AI technology and fines.

Behind the scenes in Bradford Council’s environmental department, officers are keeping watch over the district. 

Footage from hidden cameras ranges from a man brazenly shifting waste out of a van before driving off, to offenders in balaclavas and cars with scratched-off number plates.

More than 1,600 people have been fined for fly-tipping or littering thanks to the live camera system so far.

The income from these penalties is reinvested into the environment department's mission to fight the issue.

The Council receives hundreds of reports and videos of the problem every year.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

In September, yet another van used for fly-tipping was seized and later crushed. 

Meanwhile, the Council is trialling new AI-led cameras which will start recording when the technology recognises large amounts of waste being dumped.

This footage will then be used to bring the criminals before the courts and take action with fines and vehicle seizures.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for healthy people and places, urged people to take care when choosing a business to take away their household waste.

The message is part of the Telegraph & Argus’ new Community Clean Up campaign - encouraging people to take small steps in the battle against fly-tipping. 

“If it looks too good to be true, it usually is,” Cllr Ferriby said.

Householders can be fined up to £5,000 and end up with a criminal record if they ask someone else to remove their rubbish and it is found to be fly-tipped.

Anyone caught committing the serious criminal offence can face imprisonment and unlimited fines while vehicles will potentially be seized, sold or destroyed.

Warning signs could include unexpected offers to have your rubbish taken away for a cheap price, a lack of paperwork such as an invoice, or difficulties getting answers to reasonable questions.

People are encouraged to suspect all waste carriers until they’ve proven themselves to be legitimate; check that a waste carrier is registered on the Environment Agency’s website; ask what will happen to their rubbish and for evidence waste has been disposed of properly; and request paperwork such as a proper invoice, waste transfer note or receipt. 

Paperwork should include a description of the waste being removed and the waste carrier’s contact details.

Anyone who suspects that someone will be disposing of waste illegally should report them to the Environment Agency.

Describing the impact of fly-tipping on communities, Cllr Ferriby said: “It’s carried out by the minority, not the majority.

“They can be very frustrated. It can have a negative impact on people’s mental health. People are doing their best to keep the place they live in nice, neat and tidy. Then somebody comes along, fly-tips and it makes them so frustrated. 

“It makes them angry somebody’s come into their community and thought it was acceptable to throw a load of waste down.

“It’s a cost to Council taxpayers. It’s not acceptable.”

Fly-tipping can be reported to Bradford Council by calling 01274 431000 or at bradford.gov.uk.