THE COUNCIL are launching a clampdown on fly-tippers by installing CCTV in hotspot areas.

Brighton and Hove City Council are installing CCTV and number plate recognition cameras at some of the city’s worst dumping grounds.

According to the organisation, fly-tipping costs the council, and therefore residents, more than £100,000 a year.

The cameras are mobile and will be moved around the city as a deterrent to people who dump their unwanted items on the street, at recycling points or on public and private land.

Since lockdown, enforcement officers have issued 116 fines for fly-tipping, totalling more than £46,000. Each fine is £400.

The Argus:

Councillor Amy Heley, chair of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “Fly-tipping affects everyone in the city. It costs the council taxpayers money, it damages the look of the city and harms the environment.

“We hope these cameras act as a deterrent, but if fly-tippers are caught, the cameras will enable the council to prosecute the offenders, which will help us tackle this ongoing problem.

"There are many lawful ways to dispose of unwanted items including taking them to one of the city’s two household waste recycling sites or giving them away free on social media platforms like Gumtree, Freegle or Facebook Marketplace.”

Anyone caught fly-tipping can receive a minimum fine of £400. However, as it’s a criminal offence, fly-tippers can receive an unlimited fine or face court action.

The CCTV system also features Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and when footage of a vehicle is captured, the number plate will be matched with data sources from Sussex Police to identify the vehicle keeper and help with prosecution.

The new cameras follow on from the council setting up a fly-tipping hotline - 01273 295063 – where people can report a fly-tip crime, allowing our staff to respond immediately.