A specialist CCTV camera using AI (artificial intelligence) technology has been installed at a hotspot in West Northamptonshire to continue the fight against fly-tipping in the area. West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is partnering with environmental enforcement firm Kingdom Local Authority Support...
Where fixed penalties are given for environmental crimes, WNC issues the maximum amount allowed by current legislation, which is £1,000 for fly-tipping. Other penalties may be applied by Magistrates if cases reach prosecution.
Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, WNC cleared 21,304 fly-tips, costing thousands to the public purse. The hope is this new camera will be a deterrent for people dumping rubbish and catching offenders who consistently commit environmental crimes that blight the landscape.
Across England, local authorities dealt with a record 1.15 million fly-tipping cases in 2023/24, a 6% increase compared to the previous year, with 60% of fly-tips involving household waste. There has been a notable increase in ‘tipper lorry load’ size fly-tips across England, with these incidents alone costing local authorities in England £13.1 million to clear up.
The camera tower will operate around the clock for the next 12 months in various locations across the area and any footage of offences it captures will be fully investigated and used in evidence against those responsible for environmental crimes.
The tower is currently placed in a rural hotspot location. The camera covers all angles, and the footage recorded is monitored by CCTV security operatives trained to detect offences. The camera is also fitted with automatic number plate recognition software.
“Fly-tipping is a serious environmental crime that damages our communities, harms wildlife, and costs taxpayers thousands to clean up. This new AI CCTV tower sends a clear message: we will not tolerate illegal dumping in West Northamptonshire. As a Council we’re taking proactive steps to protect our landscapes and hold offenders accountable." Cllr Andrew Last, WNC’s Cabinet Member for HR, Corporate and Regulatory Services
At a previous CCTV camera installation by Kingdom LAS at several hotspots in Dartford, Kent, they helped towards a 96% reduction in fly-tipping and a 99% reduction in complaints.
“We are pleased to be working with West Northamptonshire Council to support their efforts in tackling fly-tipping across the area through the installation of our AI cameras.”
“Fly-tipping is becoming more common across England, and our camera systems help tackle waste dumping in known fly-tipping hotspots and catch offenders.” John Roberts, Chief Services Officer at Kingdom LAS
Residents can support the work of the Council by reporting fly-tipping and other environmental offences on our website or via the West Northamptonshire Council app.
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