Fly-tippers face court crackdown

Fly-tippers face court crackdown

Fly-tippers in Stafford are being warned they face heavy fines and imprisonment if they are caught dumping rubbish.

Stafford Borough Council has employed a team of people who will be using cameras to monitor 20 litter hotspots in the area.

Anyone caught faces a fine of up to £25,000 and if they are caught again an injunction will be issued against them.

Ken Griffiths, from the team, says if they break the injunction they could then face a prison sentence.

They do it because they're lazy and they don't want to pay

Ken Griffiths

"I wonder why they do it in the first place, there are enough facilities for people to tip their rubbish," he said.

"They do it because they're lazy and they don't want to pay."

The campaign is also being introduced in schools in the area to ensure the message gets across.

Councillor Elaine Kidney, cabinet member for the environment, said even if people drop a crisp packet they are breaking the law.

"Known fly-tipping sites in the borough are also going to be closely watched so I would appeal to people to think twice, to think of the risk and ask themselves if what they are doing is worth it."