Trafford Council has announced the launch of a specialist hotline dedicated to reporting acts of fly-tipping after rates soar in the borough over lockdown.
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.
If convicted, they 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 28th September, 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.
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Callers are also encouraged to take photographs and videos of the crime taking place if it is safe to do so.
Trafford 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 (COVID-19) lockdown period. The council’s Environmental Improvement team have been working hard catching fly-tippers in action with the use of CCTV cameras.
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The hotline is seen as a “major boost to the campaign”.
Trafford Council
Since the 1st September, Trafford Council is confirmed to have issued more than 90 fixed penalty charges – which have resulted 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.
Speaking on the launch of the hotline, 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.
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“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.”
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The tip-off hotline and email [email protected] 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 03330035865.
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
24th September 2020 
