Covert cameras aim to catch fly-tippers in the act

The council said the camera system is its latest tactic in the fight against fly-tipping which is slowly on the increase.

Covert cameras have been installed at fly-tipping hotspots to catch culprits in the act.

Trafford Council said the devices would be on round the clock and will help towards prosecuting offenders.

The authority said anyone caught fly-tipping will be given a fixed penalty notice of £400 or face an unlimited fine in court.

It said two cases are already awaiting prosecution and a number of other cases are under investigation.

From January to April 2024, almost 100 tonnes of fly-tipped waste was removed in Trafford

In February, a vehicle caught on camera fly-tipping several times was seized and destroyed by the council.

The council said the van was captured by the covert cameras fly-tipping waste on a lay-by on Manchester Road in Carrington on four separate occasions in 2023.

The vehicle was tracked to the Partington area of Trafford and checks were made with the DVLA to find out who owned the van, but it was not registered to a keeper.

It was destroyed in February after the owner failed to come forward.

Last month, the Council and the One Trafford Partnership launched a new campaign against the offence.

'Evidence to prosecute'

The council said the camera system was its latest weapon in the fight against fly-tipping, which is on the increase.

From January to April 2024, almost 100 tonnes of fly-tipped household and commercial waste was removed in the borough by the One Trafford Partnership.

Many of the items dumped could have been recycled, donated or even sold as second-hand.

"I am delighted we have now invested in a camera system to help us catch fly-tippers in action," Stephen Adshead, Trafford Council’s executive member for highways, environmental and traded services, said.

"Don’t forget, if you fly-tip in our borough there is a very good chance we will be recording you and using evidence to prosecute you.

"We will not tolerate crimes of this nature in our beautiful borough and we will come after you if you are caught dumping rubbish in our communities."