Wiltshire Council rewards resident who witnessed fly-tipping

A vigilant man has become the first Wiltshire resident to receive a financial reward through Wiltshire Council's We're Targeting Fly-tipping (WTF) campaign after witnessing an offence of fly-tipping in Purton.

Information was collated by the resident and provided to Wiltshire Council, which resulted in a £400 fixed penalty being paid by the offender after admitting the fly-tipping offence.

The man witnessed an electrician from Swindon fly-tipping the waste from the rear of his works van on to a grass verge in Purton, and noted the vehicle registration as soon as he identified that the offence of fly-tipping was being committed. The witness then reported the incident via the My Wiltshire app and provided a witness statement to council environmental enforcement officers.

The investigation led officers to the fly-tipper, who was issued with a £400 fixed penalty by the Wiltshire Council enforcement team as a result of his careless and criminal actions. The fixed penalty notice was paid in full by the offender.

Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Waste, said: "Even during these challenging times, Wiltshire Council is committed in cracking down on waste crimes such as fly-tipping, and will pursue all reports with evidence.

"We thank the member of the public who gathered vital information which led to this fixed penalty been issued.

"Fixed penalty notices are a significant tool in combating this illegal activity, and the We're Targeting Fly-tipping campaign continues to raise the awareness that fly-tipping not acceptable, a criminal offence and we will work tirelessly to apprehend offenders.

"The reward scheme linked to this campaign will certainly assist in combatting this illegal activity."

Environmental enforcement officers are investigating several offences of fly-tipping that have occurred in Wiltshire since the lockdown. Formal interviews under caution will be arranged and conducted as soon as it is safe to do so in line with government guidance.

Residents can report fly-tipping at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/mywiltshire-online-reporting or by calling 0300 456 0100.

To find out more about the We're Targeting Fly-tipping campaign and rewards, including terms and conditions, please see www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community-environment-wtf