Alleyway in ‘top five for fly-tipping’ but no CCTV prosecutions

AN ALLEYWAY said to suffer near daily fly-tipping is watched over by CCTV — but the footage brought no prosecutions in 12 months.

Rotherham Council says its enviro-crime cameras provide a “strong deterrent” at Eastwood village despite the lack of culprits being caught.

One Eastwood resident asked RMBC specifically about a camera on an alleyway connecting Lindley Street and Bramwell St, near St Ann’s roundabout.

“I put in an FOI request about this one particular camera,” he said. “I’ve often wondered if it ever catches anyone because that area is full of fly-tipping all the time, whether it’s one black bag or a full house clearance.

“It’s one of the worst places around here and I know because I walk past nearly every day.

“It’s a real hotspot. Definitely top five in Eastwood, if not the top one.

“But the FOI answer came back and there were no convictions. None! How is that possible? It doesn’t make sense. The camera looks straight down that alleyway.

“There’s 13 of these cameras in Eastwood, which they can only use for fly-tipping offences. So it makes you wonder what the other cameras are doing.”

An RMBC spokesperson said: “Rotherham Council is committed to providing a better environment for all.

“Our community protection officers patrol this part of Eastwood daily and the CCTV cameras act as a strong deterrent to would-be fly-tippers.

“Despite these measures, in the past week a local resident has been issued with a £300 fixed penalty notice after footage downloaded from this camera was used to identify them fly-tipping.

“We would urge everyone to dispose of their waste responsibly at their nearest household waste recycling centre.”

Thirty-seven fines have been issues in Eastwood since the beginning of 2022, the council has said.

A spokesperson added: “This averages around one fine per fortnight and is in addition to other successful enforcement activities across the rest of the borough.

“CCTV units are used alongside other prevention and detection techniques including door-to-door enquiries and the recovery of documentation from illegally tipped waste.

“All fly-tipping is removed within the council’s five-day service standard, and within 48 hours wherever possible.”