Borough declares war on flytippers

A council has resorted to tactics normally reserved for catching hardened criminals to combat a plague of fly tipping.

A 15-strong team of town hall staff, police, neighbourhood enforcement officers, police and PCSOs has been targeting hotspots in Croydon using surveillance vehicles.

Mark Pinnock, who leads the Streetscene operation, said the problem was costing taxpayers £95,000 a year.

Over four days, officers issued 40 fines totalling £3,675 - 37 of £75, and three of £300 for businesses that had dumped rubbish and had no evidence of a contract with waste removal firms. One man, Khawaja Shahabuddin, 56, was caught dumping three bags in Norbury. He apologised but was fined £75.