A fly-tipper who illegally dumped household waste on a street in Avery Hill has been fined £1,000, thanks to residents who came forward with crucial video evidence.
The council launched an investigation after receiving footage showing a number of large items being dumped from a vehicle, including a mattress and other bulky waste.
While the crime was clear, the footage did not capture the registration plate of the vehicle, so officers carried out enquiries to establish whether any residents had additional evidence.
A breakthrough came when further dashcam footage from the same household was provided, capturing the registration number of the vehicle seen in the original doorbell footage and giving officers the crucial information needed to progress the investigation.
Using this additional evidence, officers were able to trace the vehicle's owner and conduct interviews as part of their investigation, which resulted in a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) being issued. The fine has since been paid in full.
The household who provided the evidence has been awarded £100 through the council's fly-tipping reward scheme. The scheme rewards people whose information or evidence directly assists investigations, and leads to enforcement action, such as a fine or a prosecution.
Councillor Calum O'Byrne Mulligan, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Sustainability and Transport, said:
"Our streets and green spaces are not dumping grounds. We are stepping up fly-tipping enforcement across the borough and will continue to catch those who blight our communities with selfish behaviour.
"We’re on the same team as the vast majority of residents and our £100 reward scheme reflects this. We have increased the size of our enforcement team, installed more CCTV cameras, are issuing the highest possible fines for illegal dumping, and will be naming and shaming fly-tippers.
"This case shows the power residents and the council have when we work together to tackle fly-tipping. I thank the residents who provided the evidence, and the officers who tirelessly pursued this investigation – together you secured a positive outcome, sending a clear message that fly-tipping will not be tolerated in Greenwich.
"If you have evidence that could help us hold offenders to account, please share with us. Doorbell cameras, dash cams, and photos of registration plates, have all helped secure fines recently. Your evidence can help us get things done and contribute to keeping your community clean."
Do you have information that can help us identify fly-tippers?
Residents are encouraged to submit information that can help identify a Person of Binterest. We are releasing CCTV footage of people caught fly-tipping on camera, and if you know or recognise any people shown, let us know by filling out our online form.
You can also submit evidence if you witness a fly-tipper in action, including:
- photos or video footage
- doorbell camera footage
- dashcam footage
- CCTV
Evidence should be unedited and include the date and time of the incident.
Our dedicated team will review evidence submitted, and if it leads to a successful fine or prosecution, residents could receive a £100 reward. Evidence can be submitted online.
To date, six reward payments have been processed for residents who have provided evidence that has led to a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). We’ve handed out over 1040 fines this year as part of our crackdown on fly-tipping.
This work is all part of the council’s £5million Getting Things Done drive to make its streets cleaner by punishing people who fly-tip, as well as improving how it clears up mess and makes it easier for people to get rid of rubbish the right way.
To dispose of waste legally and easily please book a bulky waste collection on the council's website or take it to the Reuse and Recycling Centre.