AI CCTV camera tower installed at rural fly-tipping hotspot in West Northamptonshire to deter litter dumpers and catch offenders
A CCTV camera tower, which use artificial intelligence (AI), has been installed in a rural, fly-tipping hotspot in West Northamptonshire.
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) instructed Kingdom Local Authority Support to install the camera, which is a bid to deter fly-tippers and catch offenders, after the council cleared 21,304 fly-tips between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025.
The camera tower will operate around the clock for the next 12 months in various locations across the area. The camera covers all angles and the footage recorded is monitored by trained CCTV security operatives. The council says any clips captured will be investigated fully. The camera is also fitted with automatic number plate recognition software.
The council says the camera will be placed in different “known fly-tipping hotspots”, but the exact locations will not be publicly shared as “doing so could simply move the problem to other areas”.
Councillor Andrew Last, WNC’s Cabinet Member for HR, Corporate and Regulatory Services said: “Fly-tipping is a serious environmental crime that damages our communities, harms wildlife, and costs taxpayers thousands to clean up.
"This new AI CCTV tower sends a clear message: we will not tolerate illegal dumping in West Northamptonshire. As a council we’re taking proactive steps to protect our landscapes and hold offenders accountable."
A number of CCTV cameras are already in use across the area.
Where fixed penalties are given for environmental crimes, WNC issues the maximum amount allowed by current legislation, which is £1,000 for fly-tipping. Other penalties may be applied by Magistrates if cases reach prosecution.
According to the council, a previous CCTV camera installed by Kingdom LAS in Kent helped towards a 96 percent reduction in fly-tipping and a 99 percent reduction in complaints.
John Roberts, Chief Services Officer at Kingdom LAS, added: “We are pleased to be working with WNC to support their efforts in tackling fly-tipping across the area through the installation of our AI cameras.
“Fly-tipping is becoming more common across England, and our camera systems help tackle waste dumping in known fly-tipping hotspots and catch offenders.”
Report fly-tipping and other environmental offences on the council website here.