The Thamesmead man was interviewed, on 8 March 2017, on suspicion of fly-tipping and arrived in the same vehicle CCTV showed to be involved in the offence. With his car at risk of being seized, he was handed a £400 Fixed Penalty Notice by the Royal Borough of Greenwich - the maximum fine allowed by law.

There have been a number of incidents of fly-tipping at Purland Road in Thamesmead; the Council began monitoring the area closely. On 26 December 2016, CCTV captured a fly-tipping incident involving a man tipping six bags of waste from the boot of his vehicle.

Records from the DVLA, Metropolitan Police and the car insurance provider indicated that the suspect lived in the Plumstead area but further enquiries revealed that he had moved home with no forwarding address. After a thorough investigation, officers were, however, able to trace him and invited him to the council's offices for an interview.

When the man arrived in the same vehicle with matching plates, his position was unarguable and he agreed to pay a fixed penalty of £400 and £100 costs towards the removal of waste.

Councillor Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Environment, said "We are continuing to use a wide range of innovative tools to investigate fly-tipping incidents and ensure that the perpetrators face justice - this case is no exception.

"The Royal Borough of Greenwich will do all it can to turn the corner on fly-tipping for good and I encourage residents who have any information on a suspected fly-tipper to get in touch with us confidentially and work with us to stamp out this criminal behaviour."

Report a fly-tip or fly-tipper

Report a fly-tip for removal

Become an Environment Champion

For more information on our Environment Champions Scheme and how to join, please email: cleaner@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.