PROSECUTIONS for fly-tipping in Coventry has risen by 50 per cent amid a crackdown, the council says.
Its latest figures also show a reduction in fly-tipping incidents – amid a ‘zero-tolerance policy’.
In the first quarter of this financial year (April-June 2019), the number of reported incidents dropped compared to the same period 12 months ago.
The number of enforcement actions by the council rose from 2,613 in 2017/18 to 3,925 in 2018/19.
The council adds: “Additional funding has also been directed in tackling the problem which has enabled new initiatives such as installing surveillance cameras at known fly-tipping hotspots to provide evidence for successful prosecutions.
“The success comes against the backdrop of a growing national problem which has seen fly-tipping numbers in Coventry rise in recent years.”
Of responding to reports from the public, it says: “Environmental officers carry out an investigation into each incident to find evidence of where the rubbish has come from and those people are then prosecuted.
“It is also important for residents paying for someone to take away their rubbish to check to ensure the waste carrier is licensed. It is often those who operate without a licence who end up illegally disposing of their waste through fly-tipping meaning the resident facing prosecution if the fly-tipper was not licensed.”
Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, cabinet member for policing and equalities at Coventry City Council, said fly-tippers would be prosecuted.
“Fly-tipping is an anti-social crime, that blights neighbourhoods and will not be tolerated,” he said.
“It is no coincidence that the number of prosecutions has risen so dramatically over the last 12 months as we agree with residents that such behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.”
Councillor Patricia Hetherton, cabinet member for city services, said: “The council along with the vast majority of law-abiding residents have had enough of those people who don’t care about the effects their behaviour has on their neighbours or the environment when it comes to fly-tipping.
“Despite the latest figures showing that we’re making progress on the issue, we know there is still much more to do.”
Anyone wanting to report fly-tipping should call 08085 834333 or do it online by visiting www.coventry.gov.uk/flytipping.
