New CCTV cameras to be installed at Wigan borough fly-tipping hotspots

The cameras will be deployed by Wigan Council in areas including Platt Bridge and Hindley and elsewhere in the borough.

They have the ability to tilt and pan wider areas with footage monitored by staff in the council’s central watch CCTV room.

The council estimates that more than £4m is spent taking litter off streets, parks and greenspaces every year - and this includes £700,000 on fly-tipping alone.

Coun Paul Prescott, the council's cabinet member for environment, said: “There is absolutely no excuse for fly tipping, it is a nuisance to our communities and costs money to clear away.

"That is why we will take any steps necessary to find and prosecute offenders.

“We are determined to crackdown on the problem and installing CCTV at fly-tipping hotspots will hopefully act as a further deterrent and successful prosecutions should people choose to flout the law.”

Council bosses are urging residents to not use the services of Illegal waste carriers who often target people on social media.

Unlicensed carriers often dump the waste along country lanes or in alleyways leaving the bill for removal and disposal at the taxpayer’s door.

The authority's environmental team will look for any evidence they can find in fly-tips. Any householder or small businesses found to be using rogue traders to dispose of their waste can be prosecuted.

Coun Prescott said: “Please ensure you do your homework whenever you are approached by an individual to take your rubbish away.

“While the council has a zero- tolerance approach to waste offences, the right level of deterrent balanced with the right level of education is critical in encouraging responsible use of our built up or natural environments.”

He added: “It’s imperative we get support from residents in the fight against fly tipping so we encourage anybody who witnesses littering or fly-tipping to report it to us with as much information as possible so we can take action.”

The installation of CCTV cameras is the latest move by the council in the fight against fly tippers. Last year saw the introduction of increased fines for littering and fly-tipping.

Under the changes, fines increased for littering (including from vehicles) from £120 to £150 but this will be discounted to £75 if paid within 14 days.

Anyone found to have fly tipped will be forced to pay £400 with the discounted 14-day payment coming to £200.

To report an incident of environmental crime visit www.wigan.gov.uk/reportit or download the council’s Report It app.

To check that a waste carrier is registered on the Environment Agency’s website visit: https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers