Trafford Council is launching a special tip-off hotline to come down hard on the law-breaking fly-tippers who are blighting our communities.
Members of the public who witness fly-tippers dumping rubbish can now report them directly to the Council’s tip-off line on 0161 912 4152.
The authority’s Environmental Improvement team will then take action against the fly-tippers who, if convicted, could face a £200 fixed penalty notice or a fine up to £50,000 and/or five years’ imprisonment.
The tip-off line will be launched on September 28, and those who call are encouraged to give as much information as possible including descriptions of those involved, where the crime is taking place and information regarding the vehicle type and registration. Callers are also encouraged to take photographs and videos of the crime taking place if it is safe to do so.
The Council is launching the hotline after recording a huge increase in the number of fly-tipping incidents over the last six months and particularly during the coronavirus lockdown period. The Council’s Environmental Improvement team have been working hard catching fly-tippers in action with the use of CCTV cameras and the hotline is seen as a major boost to the campaign.
Since the 1st September, the council has issued more than 90 fixed penalty charges resulting in hundreds of pounds of fines – and there are also two cases of fly-tipping listed for the magistrates’ court with 62 further cases under investigation.
Cllr Stephen Adshead, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Air Quality, Environment and Climate Change, said:
“Our Environmental Improvement team works tirelessly week in week out in a bid to eradicate fly-tipping in Trafford.
Crimes of this nature will not be tolerated in any part of the borough – and therefore I welcome this additional support that will help deter offenders from blighting our streets and neighbourhoods with their rubbish.
If you witness a fly-tipping incident, do not turn a blind eye, call the tip-off line.
These environmental law-breakers must be stopped and held accountable for their actions. Every call will be taken seriously and acted upon immediately."
The tip-off hotline and email flytipping@trafford.gov.uk are only to be used for reporting fly-tippers where members of the public witness people fly-tipping. If residents want to report dumped rubbish they should call 03330 035865.
Posted on Wednesday 23rd September 2020