The sun may be shining, but the forecast for those who choose to flytip in Slough is not positive as a summer crackdown by the council begins. 

The council’s enforcement team has been boosted with two extra officers dedicated to flytipping investigation and action to tackle the rash of people dumping their rubbish around Slough. 

The team’s actions are being boosted with the installation of three cctv cameras which will move from hotspot to hotspot to catch flytippers in the act and provide much-needed evidence on how and who is to blame. 

The power of the cctv cameras is furthered by the simultaneous installation of linked ANPR cameras – which use infrared to scan vehicle number plates making them visible even in the dark and despite the use of headlights to try and blind the cctv cameras. 

The first set of cameras went up at Everett’s Corner on the junction of Elmshott Lane and the Bath Road in Cippenham last week and within 24 hours had recorded someone flytipping black sacks full of rubbish. 

Anyone found to be flytipping can be issued a fixed penalty notice (FPN) fine of £1,000, reduced to £500 if paid within 10 days. 

And, if someone gives their rubbish to someone else and that person flytips it, both can be issued a FPN – even if the first person didn’t know their rubbish would be flytipped. Known as a duty of care fine, it costs £600, reduced to £400 if paid within 10 days. 

Alongside the enforcement, is a campaign of education for those who may be unaware what they are doing is considered flytipping or the much stiffer penalties now in place. 

Flytipping the council is investigating will also be clearly marked with stickers and tape so residents can be reassured officers are both aware and dealing with it. 

Councillor Ejaz Ahmed, lead member for public protection, said: “Flytipping in Slough has reached an all-time high, and it seems the only way to get through to people – a lot of whom are repeat offenders – is to catch them and fine them. 

“Up until 2024 the fines were not much of a deterrent, but we took the decision to raise them substantially and now are investing more officer time and more council resources in a dedicated enforcement effort. 

“Flytippers should be warned. We now have more officers on the ground and new and better eyes in the sky and we will not tolerate anyone flytipping on our streets, in our parks or in our neighbourhoods.

“I would encourage residents to report flytipping to us and, if you know who has done it, tell us. Let’s get the message to flytippers that their behaviour is not acceptable, there is no excuse and say to them, not on our streets.”

Councillor Gurcharan S Manku, lead member for environmental services, said: “Every day we have to spend more taxpayers’ money cleaning up after people who, through a lack of care, sheer laziness or ignorance feel they can dump their rubbish and leave it for someone else to deal with. 

“This is despite it being free to tip domestic waste at Chalvey Waste and Recycling Centre. 

“There is just no need to leave stuff by the side of the road. It is your rubbish and your responsibility to deal with it properly. You are hurting your neighbourhood and your town. And costing thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money. 

“Over the coming months, we will be doing what residents have asked us to do, clear up the streets and find and fine those who treat our town like a dumping ground.”

Updates on enforcement action and materials design to help people learn about how to dispose of their waste properly will be posted regularly on the council’s social media channels.