03/28/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

More than 30 fines dished out in Wrexham fly-tipping and littering crackdown

MORE than 30 fines have been dished out by a local authority as part of a crackdown on fly-tipping and littering in Wrexham.

Senior councillors approved measures to punish people who dump rubbish earlier this year, including the use of hidden cameras to catch offenders.

It followed a sharp spike in fly-tipping in the county borough during the coronavirus pandemic.

Figures released by Wrexham Council shows 15 people have been hit with fixed penalty notices (FPNs) of up to £400 for fly-tipping since April this year,

A total of nine fines have been handed out for littering at a rate of £75, while eight individuals have received FPNs of up to £300 for disposing of their rubbish via unauthorised collectors.

Deputy council leader David A Bithell said the authority was committed to creating “cleaner, safer communities”.

In a report, the environment portfolio holder said: “Environmental crimes such as fly tipping, littering and dog control remain a high concern of residents throughout Wrexham.

“A report considered by the executive board in February 2021 approved the roll out of enhanced sanctions to better tackle these problems.

“These included the commencement of FPNs for fly tipping where appropriate to do so in addition to the approval for roll out of surveillance cameras to monitor and scrutinise the illegal tipping of waste.

“If we are to see lasting improvements in this area it is important that we achieve a change in culture.”

Backbench councillors previously raised questions following delays in the arrival of the surveillance cameras.

The council finally confirmed it had received them in August after blaming supply issues for the hold-up.

Cllr Bithell said the cameras had been used both visibly and covertly since being bought.

He said: “These new techniques and initiatives have allowed more effective enforcement of fly tipping.

“All reports of fly tipping reported through Contact Wrexham are analysed on a monthly basis.

“This analysis is helping to find hotspots with a history of repeated fly tipping cases that can then be put through a series of enforcement actions like signage and ultimately use of the cameras in a measured and effective way.”

The cameras have so far been deployed at four different sites in the area.

Although Cllr Bithell said he could not disclose details of their location, he revealed it had led to a reduction in repeat offences.

The report will be discussed at a meeting of the council’s homes and environment scrutiny committee being held on Wednesday, December 15.

%d bloggers like this: