Fly tipping is both an eyesore and a health hazard, costing local authorities millions of pounds every year. It is also notoriously hard to identify, let alone prosecute, offenders. The installation of CCTV cameras is one way to hold fly tippers to account.
What is fly tipping?
The term “fly tipping” is generally used to describe the illegal disposal of waste, in small or large amounts, usually in an attempt to avoid disposal fees. It can be household or commercial, solid or liquid. When toxic or harmful substances are involved, it can contaminate water or soil and damage human health.
Why is it so difficult to stop?
Most fly tipping takes places in remote areas, such as rarely travelled country lanes, where offenders know they are unlikely to be observed. They often pick places where they know there are no CCTV cameras. Fly tipping is a crime that can lead to a £50,000 fine or a maximum of five years in prison, but if individuals who fly tip cannot be identified, they cannot be prosecuted.
How can CCTV cameras help?
CCTV can record offenders, including their faces and their vehicles. This makes it seem obvious that land or property owners should turn to experts such as those at https://apmfireandsecurity.com/cctv-installation/cctv-installation-gloucester to install CCTV Gloucester areas known for fly tipping. The trouble is, this requires infrastructure and monitoring, which can be costly.
One possible solution is specialised fly tipping cameras. These cameras do not need the same lighting and wiring as regular cameras to work effectively, as they have their own battery, or even can be connected to nearby streetlights. As they are not mounted and fixed, they can easily be taken down and redeployed as necessary, with installation taking only minutes. They work day or night and are resistant to the weather or vandalism. Monitoring can be done remotely, with footage then downloadable if needed as evidence in court.
Using the right type of CCTV camera and ensuring it is effectively monitored is one of the best ways to stop fly tippers returning to their favourite dump sites.
