CIVIC chiefs are celebrating the success of a new crackdown on fly-tippers targeting sites across Southampton.
The city council says seven people are being taken to court following the recent introduction of mobile CCTV units at fly-tipping hotspots.
Action is also being taken against unlicensed waste carriers who dump items they have collected from other people.
Last month a joint operation was carried out by officers from the council and the Environment Agency, plus licensing enforcement officers from the Southampton and Eastleigh Licensing Partnership and members of Hampshire Constabulary.
The council now employs four environmental protection officers whose job is to investigate fly-tipping and pursue prosecutions.
Other measures are also being taken to prevent piles of discarded waste from scarring the city.
A council spokesperson said: "Textile banks at recycling points are now being provided by a single charity, The Salvation Army, who are ensuring banks are consistently emptied to reduce the problem of textiles overflowing.
"The charity is also helping to clear dumped textiles from the recycling point areas, saving the council time and money."
Cllr Toqeer Kataria, cabinet member for communities and customer engagement, said: "We’re continuing to up the ante in the battle against fly-tipping.
"We’re sending a very clear message to anyone who dumps their rubbish, rather than disposing of it in a socially responsible and environmentally friendly way.
“We are actively issuing fixed penalty notices to anyone caught fly-tipping and looking to secure convictions against serial offenders who repeatedly dump waste.
"I'd like to thank all of the agencies involved in the vehicle-stop operation and look forward to similar action being taken again in the near future.
“Ultimately it’s down to all of us to love our city and dispose of rubbish properly.”
Residents employing a waste carrier have a duty to check if they are licensed, which can be done by visiting "waste carriers, brokers and dealers (data.gov.uk)" on the Defra website.
Householders are also recommended to request a receipt and retain it for at least two years.
Anyone who fails to carry out the necessary checks can be prosecuted if their rubbish is found dumped by the waste carrier they hired.
Fly tipping on public land can be reported for clearing via the council's website - Fly-tipping (southampton.gov.uk)
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