CCTV cameras with AI to tackle fly-tipping

Two men stand posing for the camera with their arms folded, wearing hi-vis jackets, jeans and trainers. They are stood in front of the cameras, which have metal fences around them. Image source, East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Image caption,

The aim of the cameras is to put people off from dumping rubbish in areas that are prone to fly-tipping

  • Published

CCTV cameras that use AI technology will be installed in parts of East Yorkshire to tackle fly-tipping following a pilot scheme.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said CCTV towers had already been installed in Cottingham, Boynton and Rawcliffe, with one in Hessle and a second in Cottingham to follow.

The aim is to put people off from dumping rubbish, with the council adding their enforcement team received about 2,500 reports of fly-tipping each year.

Councillor Lyn Healing said fly-tipping had become a "blight and a nuisance" in some rural parts of the county and the council had invested in the cameras to "step up its action against those who commit the crimes".

She added: "These new cameras and their AI technology have been tried and tested by other councils and we want them to replicate the impressive results they've already produced elsewhere, here in the East Riding."

The camera towers will be installed for the next 12 months and will use AI technology to automatically detect rubbish being dumped and notify the council's team, who will then investigate.

The camera towers will also be fitted with anti-vandal measures, which will alert staff if anyone tries to tamper with them.

After the 12-month period, the council will then look at how successful the cameras have been and decide whether to make them a permanent fixture.

The plans come after the council launched a 12-week trial last month of one CCTV camera with AI technology at a site in Willerby in a similar scheme to tackle roadside littering.

Anyone caught dumping rubbish on the camera could be ordered to pay a fixed penalty of up to £1,000 or their case could be taken to court.

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