CCTV helps trap another Neston fly tipping culprit

Mar 19 2008 by Sue McCann, Heswall News

ELLESMERE Port and Neston Council secured its second successful fly tipping prosecution thanks to the use of CCTV cameras.

Stephen Taylor, who lived in Neston at the time of the incident, was captured on camera on Sunday, November 11, dumping two settees and a glass-topped table and chairs.

He was fined £500 and ordered to pay £500 costs to the council when he appeared at Chester Magistrates’ Court, pleading guilty to dumping the furniture.

The council’s CCTV equipment recorded Taylor committing the offence at 5.44pm in Long Acres Road, Neston.

The Environmental Crime Team was then able to trace Mr Taylor’s car using the police national computer which it has access to.

He was arrested in the early hours of Thursday, March 6, after failing to attend court on Tuesday, March 4.

The head of the council’s Environmental Protection Unit, Mike Whittaker, said: “We will continue to carry out these covert operations around the borough where there is a threat from the illegal practice of fly tipping, using all available powers at our disposal.

“What was particularly pleasing with this case was that, even though Mr Taylor had failed to register his vehicle, we were still able to trace the owner back through the sales history of the vehicle and reach a satisfactory conclusion to the case.”

He added: “I do believe our actions have support of the borough’s residents. The clean-up operation required to remove fly tipping costs each and every one of the borough’s residents.

“As well as being dangerous and harmful to people’s health, dumped rubbish spoils our enjoyment of the environment and can cause serious pollution. It can attract arson and even more fly tipping and can be very dangerous for wildlife.”