News

New fly-tipping hotline launched in Trafford after rates soar during lockdown

Trafford Council's fly-tipping hotline will be launched on 28th September.

Emily Sergeant - 24th September 2020

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.

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.

The hotline is seen as a “major boost to the campaign”.

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.

“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 [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.