Thirty fly-tipping fines in just five months in Sandwell

The £400 fixed penalty was handed out to a man by Sandwell Council, after he admitted dumping a black bag among rubbish off Whitehouse Drive in Smethwick.

Envelopes were found linking the rubbish to an address nearby last Friday (oct20) and the fine was dished out within 24 hours.

Cabinet member for public health and protection Elaine Costigan hailed the crackdown on fly-tipping, saying it has led to a 13 per cent reduction in the number of reports across the borough.

Councillor Elaine Costigan said: “This fly-tipping was reported to the council last Thursday afternoon and within 24 hours, our enforcement team had traced and issued a £400 fine to someone whose personal details were found among the rubbish.

"They admitted dumping a black bag of rubbish.

“This is the 30th £400 fine we’ve served for fly-tipping in less than five months as part of our drive to tackle fly-tipping in Sandwell.

“This combination of rapid enforcement as well as putting cameras in hotspots seems to be making a real difference – fly-tipping reports have fallen sharply, they are down 13 per cent across Sandwell and in Smethwick we have seen a reduction of around 40 per cent.

"Fly-tipping is unsightly and anti-social. There really is no excuse for dumping rubbish on our streets and open spaces.

“It’s also an unnecessary financial burden on council taxpayers – the council is dealing with illegally dumped waste at a cost of more than £300,000 a year.”

The new enforcement team provides information and advice to residents on how to appropriately dispose of their waste.

Chiefs warned people can face prosecution and an unlimited fine if they give their waste to someone who then illegally dumps it. They have urged people to always ask where they are taking it and to see their waste carrier’s licence.

To report fly-tipping online visit sandwell.gov.uk/flytipping or call 0121 368 1177.