NEW measures to tackle fly tipping in Bradford, including state of the art new CCTV cameras and blocking off "hot spots" will be approved by Bradford Council next week.

The Council's Executive will be asked to approve an extra £300,000 from the budget for new measures to combat the scourge of fly-tipping criminals.

Fly-tipping is an environmental crime which has been rising steadily over the past few years across the whole country as well as in Bradford.

Many areas of the District, from alley ways in inner city areas to remote beauty spots, have been blighted by illegal dumping in recent years.

The Council employs a range of tactics to try and tackle it, and a number of cases have recently been brought before the courts.

In the past two weeks the Council confiscated a van which had been used in multiple fly-tips and an investigation is being carried out to track down the people who had been using it.

Dumped sheep heads and goose carcasses pose 'significant risk' to Bradford drinking water supply

Environment Enforcement Officers also employ recent legislation to issue £250 Fixed Penalty Notices to householders who allow their rubbish to be taken away and fly-tipped by unlicensed traders.

But with the problem on the rise, there have been calls for much more to be done.

Members of the Executive will be asked to approve the extra spending at their meeting on Tuesday February 2 when they will discuss the Third Quarter Financial budget report.

A report to the Executive says: "The scheme will increase environmental enforcement surveillance activities, with more capacity through additional and enhanced CCTV devices which in turn supports being able to undertake more prosecutions with good quality evidence where fly-tipping is occurring."

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “We would much rather spend this money on looking after vulnerable members of the community and keeping other essential services running. But the actions of a criminal minority result in vital funds having to be channelled into trying to tackle this horrible blight on our community.”

“There are plenty of ways to dispose of extra waste legally and cheaply so there is no need for rubbish to be dumped in our streets and in the countryside.

“Extra CCTV cameras will give us the opportunity to prevent more fly-tippers getting away with their crimes.”

If you see fly-tipping taking place, please note down as many details as possible, including vehicle licence plate numbers and inform the Council. Fly-tipping can be reported be calling the Council 01274 431000 or online at www.bradford.gov.uk.