Anyone thinking of fly tipping in Wolverhampton is warned that they are being watched after CCTV evidence has led to 2 successful prosecutions by the city council.
Cameras have captured incidents in 2 separate locations as the council continues its battle against the crime.
The first tip was filmed on 27 April, 2024, when a van and accompanying car were driven onto land off Millfields Road at around 9.20pm. A local security firm provided the footage to the council.
The drivers of the 2 vehicles each dumped a large quantity of waste from the van, including bulky furniture and household waste.
The van was unregistered, however the car was registered in Wolverhampton and insurance information identified Ricky Steadman, of Beaconsfield Avenue, Parkfields, as the only named driver.
Officers served a notice requiring Steadman to attend an interview at the Civic Centre to assist with the council’s investigation. He failed to attend or contact the council, preventing officers from finding out who was responsible.
A prosecution was brought and Steadman was found guilty in his absence of one obstruction charge under section 110 of The Environment Act 1995 for failing to comply with investigating officers’ requests for assistance.
At Dudley Magistrates Court on Wednesday 13 August, Steadman was ordered to pay a fine of £440, victim surcharge of £176 and costs of £1,086.20.
In the second case, officers monitoring council CCTV discovered that car tyre casings were regularly being left close to a bin store at Weston Court, Boscobel Crescent, during late October last year.
Officers identified Weston Court resident Barry Wilkes, who used his door access key fob after dumping the tyres. After being visited by tenancy officers from Wolverhampton Homes, Wilkes admitted the offences and accepted a Fixed Penalty Notice rather than a court appearance.
However, despite a payment extension period being agreed, no payment was made. Wilkes subsequently ignored council letters as well as a notice requiring him to attend the Civic Centre.
At a hearing at Dudley Magistrates Court on Wednesday 30 July this year, Wilkes pleaded guilty to one charge of fly tipping and one of obstructing an officer in the course of their duties.
For the charge of fly tipping, Wilkes was fined £120, a victim surcharge of £48 was imposed along with costs of £400. No separate penalty was imposed for the second charge.All costs awarded to the council will be reinvested back into its environmental crime service.
The recent prosecutions support ongoing work under the council’s Shop a Tipper campaign where anyone suspected of dumping rubbish will have their images shared to appeal for information to help identify them.
If the information provided leads to successful identification, and Fixed Penalty Notices are issued and paid or a prosecution takes place, residents receive a £100 Enjoy Wolverhampton Gift Card.
Residents can contact 01902 552700 with information or report online at Fly-Tipping – Shop a Tipper.
Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Once again, we are issuing a warning to anyone thinking of using our city as their dumping ground.
“We are not going to stand by and watch as you ruin our streets, green spaces and residential areas.
“We’re working hard to tackle this thoughtless crime. We will use increased fines, our successful Shop a Tipper scheme and the city’s cameras will be watching you. You will not get away with it.”
Residents are reminded that waste can be disposed of free of charge at our Household Waste and Recycling Centres (tips) which are open 7 days a week from 8am to 4pm. Centres are at Anchor Lane, Lanesfield, Bilston and Shaw Road, Wolverhampton.
A bulky item collection service to dispose of big unwanted items is also available, find out more at Bulky item collection.
A film of waste being dumped in Millfields Road can be viewed below.