Secret cameras and undercover surveillance equipment is usually left on the pages of a spy novel or filling the big screen in blockbuster movies.
But for Babergh District Council, a series of pinhole cameras and wireless technology is the latest weapon in its fight against illegal fly-tipping across the district.
Now the cameras and equipment, which were funded by a £7,000 grant from the Babergh Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, will soon be used in the district’s fly-tipping hotspots.
The cameras, one which is a pinhole and the other which is the size of a bullet, will record any movement - catching the perpetrators red-handed.
The video recordings, which are of digital quality, will then be monitored by a Council officer and used in any prosecutions brought.
Malcolm Firth, Babergh District Council’s Head of Environmental Services, said: "It is a new approach for us and I am delighted that Babergh is stepping up the fight against fly-tippers, especially those cowboy operators who promise householders that they will legally dispose of their waste – but end up dumping it.
“I know that these cameras are going to be extremely successful in the war against these people who assume it is okay to dump their rubbish wherever they please.
“Not only is fly-tipping an eyesore but it costs the taxpayer money – and we are determined to stop as much as we can.
"The main objective is to get as much evidence as possible in order to launch a prosecution - which we will do."
Illegal fly-tipping is a continuing challenge in Babergh – and one that carries a maximum penalty of £50,000 if a successful prosecution is made.
Last year, the Council found, collected and disposed of more than a tonne of rubbish every week which had been dumped on public and private land.
These incidents, which totalled 342 from April 2005-March 2006, cost more than £17,000 to clear up – all of which is paid for by the district’s taxpayers.
"One of the frustrating things is that a lot of the waste dumped can be taken and disposed of free of charge at the local Household Waste and Recycling Centres, so there’s no excuse for it being dumped in the first place,” added Daniel Whymark, the district council's Technical Assistant (Waste).
“The cameras are extremely advanced equipment and will really help us root out the individuals who are responsible for this and other anti-social crimes.” ENDS
Information about how to report fly-tipping.
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