Hidden CCTV used to catch fly-tippers as fines issued

Three people were each caught on CCTV fly-tipping on a rural lane in Royal Wootton Bassett

A man who claimed to forget his rubbish after taking a cigarette break in the dark is among the residents issued with hefty fines for fly-tipping.

The man from Warminster had to pay £1,000 after removing the bags from his car and leaving them behind.

Wiltshire Council used covert CCTV to catch offenders as part of a new crackdown on the crime. Among those fined were three people who were ordered to pay £3,000 after dumping waste on a rural lane in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Councillor Martin Smith, cabinet member for highways, street scene and flooding, said fly-tipping "is a blight on our beautiful Wiltshire landscapes".

"Our officers are working hard to take action and prosecute those people who choose to dump their waste illegally," he added.

The council said it had invested in both overt and covert CCTV cameras, which are located across the county, to tackle the problem.

Other enforcements include a £1,000 fine for a Bulford resident, who was caught on CCTV dumping household waste on a public right of way.

Anyone who reports fly-tippers could receive a reward of up to £200 in gift vouchers

Meanwhile, a resident in Lyneham was fined £1,000 for dumping furniture and household waste on Clack Hill, Dauntsey Lock.

Councillor Smith encouraged anyone who spots fly-tipping incidents to report them to the council.

"Our officers will investigate and take action, and the person who reported it to us could receive a reward of up to £200 in gift vouchers if the information they provide leads to a prosecution, or a fixed penalty notice being paid," he added.