CCTV installed at a supermarket’s recycling point has caught more than 120 fly-tipping offences on camera since the summer.
Rubbish dumped at the centre, next to Morrisons in Northfleet, range from small amounts of household items to tipper loads of building waste and mounds of tyres.
More fines have been issued following further fly-tipping at recycling point at Morrison’s in Coldharbour Road, Northfleet. Picture: Gravesham Borough Council
In August, more than 35 fly-tippers faced £1,000 fines or court action from Gravesham council after they had been caught on CCTV footage leaving rubbish there and in once case abandoning cats.
Since then, a further 37 fixed penalty notices have been issued despite signs stating only glass and small electricals can be recycled at the point in Coldharbour Road.
Around 20 of these cases, which involve both larger scale offences and failure to pay their fines, are being sent to the magistrates’ court as the local authority continues to crackdown on fly-tipping in the borough.
Cabinet member for strategic environment, Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox, warned the penalty notices issued by the council’s environmental enforcement team “will not be the last”.
He said: “Fly-tipping and failing to ensure waste is disposed of lawfully are criminal offences and aside from a fine, offenders could face imprisonment and a criminal record which could have a huge impact on their future.
Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox said there is no excuse for fly-tipping. Picture: Gravesham Borough Council
“The behaviour of a few inconsiderate and lazy individuals is having a disproportionate effect on the law-abiding members of our community who recycle responsibly.
“It is totally unacceptable and there is never an excuse for it. We do not tolerate it in Gravesham.
“Anyone involved in fly-tipping at the recycling centre or anywhere else in the borough can expect a robust response from us.”
Previous fly-tipping at the recycling centre. Picture: Gravesham Borough Council
He also told people to be cautious after a homeowner in Gravesend was duped by a waste carrier who collected rubbish from their address and then fly-tipped it at the Coldharbour recycling centre.
Cllr Mochrie-Cox added: “It is a homeowner’s responsibility to ensure that their waste is disposed of lawfully. If they fail to do so, they could be the ones facing a heavy fine or prosecution.”
The small recycling point is just two miles away from the Pepperhill household waste and recycling centre.