Fly-Tipping: Council Introduces CCTV to Tackle the Problem

June 21, 2017

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has added additional detection measures to deter fly-tipping across illegal dumping hotspots around the city.

Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste. This could range from dumping a single bin bag of household waste to more large scale illegal dumping including building materials and tyres.

From 1 April 2015, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has issued a total of 28 Fixed Penalty Notices for illegal dumping and instigated legal proceedings against 14 people. In addition to actively seeking prosecution against those who are/have been caught illegally dumping materials, the Council has now also installed overt CCTV cameras in areas that are at risk to regular fly tipping. The Council hopes that this intervention will act as a deterrent to those tempted, as well as providing evidence in the event of a legal prosecution being sought.

Anyone who is identified committing an offence will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £80 or prosecuted under Article 3 of the Order which, on summary conviction in a magistrate’s court, carries a fine of up to £2,500.

Alderman Tommy Jeffers, Chairman of Environmental Services said: “The introduction of CCTV cameras in affected areas is an initiative that the council hopes will prevent fly-tipping that is directly impacting the state of our City.

“Fly-tipping poses a threat to humans and wildlife, damages our environment, and spoils the enjoyment of our town and countryside.

“We encourage residents to take responsibility for their waste and where goods cannot be reused by donation to outlets such as charities, that they make use of the Council amenities available for the disposal of bulky waste,” said Alderman Jeffers.

The Council would like to remind residents that they can deposit household waste free of charge at any of the Councils household recycling centres across the City. For bulky items householders can contact the Council and request a special collection on Tel: 028 9244 7780 or Email: opservices.reception@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk

Householders should be aware that if they appoint or instruct a third party to dispose of their waste, and in so doing the waste is disposed of illegally, the householder may still be prosecuted under the Order if the third party cannot be traced.

Householders are advised that any person who collects waste for payment should be registered with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to transport waste and should provide the householder with a receipt for the waste taken.