Public Asked for Their Views on Plans to Use CCTV to Catch Illegal Fly Tippers
Ribble Valley Borough Council has launched a public consultation into whether it should use CCTV cameras to catch offenders at known fly-tipping “hot spots” in the borough.
Councillor Mark Hindle, chairman of the council’s health and housing committee, said:
“Ribble Valley is known for its beautiful countryside but, like everywhere else across Britain, the area experiences issues with environmental crime, particularly fly tipping.
“Rubbish is regularly dumped illegally in rural locations, lay-bys and on highway verges, resulting in significant clean-up costs that are ultimately borne by local taxpayers.
“We’re constantly fighting a battle to keep our communities clean and tidy. Using CCTV in spots where we know there is repeated dumping of rubbish could help us catch those responsible, as well as being a deterrent to fly-tipping in the first place. They will also help us protect the local environment.”
The CCTV cameras, which can be moved around to where needed, would only be used for the prevention, detection, and investigation of fly tipping offences. Any evidence captured may be shared with other appropriate authorities, such as the police and Environment Agency, and used to support enforcement action and the prosecution of individuals responsible for illegal waste dumping.
The survey, which only takes a few minutes to complete, is aimed at gathering local people’s views on introducing such a scheme. The survey is completely anonymous, unless participants decide to share this information.
It can be completed online at Ribble Valley Borough Council Mobile CCTV Survey.
Paper copies are also available at the council offices in Church Walk, Clitheroe.
The survey will run until Sunday 23 August.
The results of the consultation will be considered by councillors before a decision is made on whether or not to use cameras to crackdown on fly tipping in the borough.
The council has a statutory duty under section 33 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2023 to comply with the Surveillance Code of Practice. The Surveillance Camera Commissioner (SCC) plays a crucial role in encouraging compliance with the code. It is, therefore, important that the council understands the implications of using mobile surveillance systems and ensures that they are operated in accordance with the law and the guiding principle of the code.
In 2024/25 local authorities in England dealt with 1.26 million incidents. The most common size category for fly-tipping incidents was equivalent to a small van load followed by the equivalent of a car boot or less. However, there were 52,000 tipper lorry load fly tipping incidents which cost local authorities a staggering £19.3 million to clear and dispose of.
You can view all of our currently running surveys at Consultations – Ribble Valley Borough Council.