City issues 'most wanted' list of litter dropping suspects
Peterborough City Council has released the first batch of Crimewatch-style CCTV images of people it has branded litterbugs. And it wants the public to 'shop' the culprits, who face a £75 fine.
The authority is adopting a new crackdown on litter louts in a bid to tidy up the city.
As part of the campaign, it is using CCTV cameras to record incidents of littering and fly-tipping. The scheme involves eagle-eyed camera operators recording anyone who allegedly drops rubbish in the city before issuing an image of the suspect for publication.
Once properly identified and the incident confirmed, the culprits could be landed with a fine of up to £75.
A unique reference number along with the time and date the alleged offence took place has been attributed to each image, with a request for people to identify anybody they recognise. Any information about the images can be supplied anonymously.
Peterborough City Council Leader Councillor John Peach said this latest blitz underlined the council's hardline stance on tackling the city's growing litter problem.
He said: "The publication of these first images demonstrates how seriously we are taking this issue.
"This innovative scheme gives us another weapon to target those who blight our city. People must realise there is simply no excuse for dropping litter." Similar schemes being employed by neighbouring authorities have attracted a number of successes.
Councillor Graham Murphy, cabinet member for environment and community safety, said the move would help to stamp out anti-social behaviour.
He said: "Eagle-eyed CCTV operators will be looking out for anybody who blights our city." He added that CCTV operators already targeted people for vehicle littering and this addition represented an "excellent development of the service".
The council could even install talking CCTV cameras. This would see CCTV operators ordering people seen dropping litter to immediately pick up the rubbish or face a penalty.
Images have also been posted on the city council's website at www.peterborough.gov.uk
