Redbridge Council takes enforcement action against resident linked to 50+ bags of waste dumped by children’s play area

A Redbridge Council investigation into bags of waste found dumped in South Park, Ilford has uncovered the mountain of mess was discarded from a nearby household, leading to enforcement action against the fly-tippers.

The council’s Enforcement Team was alerted to the large fly-tip at the park when a member of the public spotted and reported the unsightly mess by the children’s play area.

On arriving at the scene, the team were confronted with more than 50 bags of rubbish and cardboard illegally dumped in the park.

Enforcement Officer Ron Clayden, who led the investigation, said: “I was absolutely infuriated by the sight of those bags and stacks of cardboard next to where local children play, and couldn’t believe people would do something like that. It just made me more determined to find those responsible. I was like a dog with a bone that day. I spent hours going through the rubbish trying to build up a mental picture of who would do such a thing while looking for anything that could help me track down the culprits.”

Determined to find the offenders Ron conducted local door-to door enquiries, and meticulous finger-tip searches of the contents of every bag looking for evidence that could identify the culprits.

During the course of the investigation a member of the public came forward to say they had witnessed a person dumping cardboard at the site from a vehicle.

The diligent witness supplied photographic evidence including vehicle registration plates, which led to enforcement action against an individual from Essex. The person was fined £400 for fly-tipping the cardboard.

Heaping praise on the community member, Ron said: “It’s fantastic they came forward to assist with our enquiries. Their statement and photographic evidence helped us quickly identify the person responsible for leaving the cardboard in the park.”

As the investigation progressed further, evidence uncovered by the team showed the remaining fly-tip of 50+ bags appeared to be consistent with one address, which eventually led to a household near the park.

The Enforcement Team conducted interviews under caution with members of the household, resulting in enforcement action being taken against one of the household and a person from outside of the borough, who had been visiting the household. 

Both were fined £400 each for fly-tipping.

Redbridge Cabinet Member for Environment and Civic Pride Cllr Jo Blackman, said: “Redbridge is our home and we all deserve to live in a clean and safe environment. While the majority of our communities take pride in their area and dispose of their waste legally and in the proper way, it’s still particularly sad and disheartening to hear of when a local person is responsible for rubbish found dumped in the borough. The council takes a tough stand against anyone caught fly-tipping in Redbridge, and our Enforcement Team are dedicated to catching those responsible for making a mess in the borough.”

As part of the council’s ongoing work, and campaign for a cleaner Redbridge, a wide range of community initiatives are being deployed alongside enforcement action to tackle fly-tipping. This includes community engagement work, free online workshops on reducing and disposing of waste properly, and targeted fly-tipping operations.

This year the council also launched its Redbridge Wall of Shame - a new microsite dedicated to identifying culprits caught on camera dumping their trash on the borough’s streets.

 To view the latest episode of Redbridge Wall of Shame head to: https://wallofshame.redbridge.gov.uk/

If you are able to identify any of the culprits featured contact Redbridge Council on: Cleansing.Services@redbridge.gov.uk

The council also offers a Bulky Waste Collection Service entitling residents to a free collection every 12 months (maximum of 3 items). For more details, including costs for additional collections go to: www.redbridge.gov.uk/bins-waste-and-recycling/book-a-bulky-waste-or-large-item-collection/

Residents can easily report any fly-tips they spot in the borough online through the council’s Report It page:  https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/report-it/

All fly tips made known to the council are recorded and investigated, with enforcement action being taken if evidence is found. The council aims to clear all recorded fly-tips on council land and the highway within 24 hours of it being reported.

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