Bradford Council will use a drone in its fight to stop fly tipping in areas like Ilkley Moor.
Councillors have been told the aerial tech will be flown over areas that Council officers would normally struggle to access, from remote green spaces to private gardens, and it will be deployed “wherever it is needed.”
Members of the Council’s Environmental Services were giving an update on what was being done to tackle fly tipping at a meeting of the Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday evening.
Members were told that CCTV cameras hidden in hot spot areas are often used to catch fly tippers in the act, but the authority was now looking to the skies to tackle the problem.
Amjad Ishaq, environmental services manager, said:
“We received the delivery of our first drone today. Many other Councils are using drones in their fight against fly tipping.
“The drone will give us access to sites where illegal activity is going on. It could be fly tipping in a field in the middle of nowhere, it could be in someone’s garden. It will be useful to find fly tipping on sites we can’t see.”
Some Council staff were currently being trained to use the drone.
Councillor Chris Herd (Cons, Worth Valley) asked:
“Is the drone going to be used in the rural wards? Or is it more to use in the city?”
Mr Ishaq said:
“It will be used wherever we need to use it.”
Dave Dunbar, Environmental Health Manager, added:
“We’ll deploy our resources where needed.”
Referring to the use of CCTV to tackle the problem, a report to the committee said: 'A total of 175 fixed CCTV cameras have now been deployed at 108 locations across 18 Wards, and a considerable number of fly-tipping incidents have been captured on camera resulting in enforcement action being taken, more cases are currently under investigation.
'The more extensive use of CCTV has resulted in an increase in the numbers of fly-tipping and littering fixed penalty notices being issued and contributed to several vehicles being seized.'
Bowling and Barkerend has the highest number of fly tipping CCTV cameras, with 33 located across the ward.
This is followed by City ward with 31 cameras and Great Horton with 20.
The report adds: 'The sites (of the CCTV) have been strategically chosen based on key factors, including the volume of public complaints, the involvement of vehicles in offences, and their designation as high-priority areas such as gateways, streets, and roads with numerous fast-food takeaways.'
When asked for the exact locations of the cameras, members said they were unable to reveal that information.
Doggy Days set to return to Ilkley Lido
Foley Films returns to Ilkley with new autumn programme
Spellman Care named Health and Wellbeing Business of the Year
Runners for Great North Run raise over £17,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Sir Gareth Southgate helps raise £23,000 for Martin House at Ilkley golf event
Ashlands Bonfire to celebrate 40th anniversary with biggest-ever fireworks display
Off-peak roadworks begin on A65 near Ilkley
Ilkley businesses become Gold Sponsor of Clarke Foley Community Hub
Ilkley takeaway named among Tripadvisor’s top 10% worldwide
McDonald's near Ilkley seeks earlier opening hours
Ilkley care home resident celebrates 106th birthday
Fresh handmade bread coming to Three Little Birds in Ilkley
Former Ilkley bistro owner teases new venture on the High Street
New Ilkley travel agency to celebrate opening with special event
Mental health campaign launched in memory of son
Yorkshire writers in spotlight at Ilkley Literature Festival
Annual golf day raises £4,383 for Airedale Hospital
The Ilkley Cow enters search for UK's Favourite Local Business
New Ilkley care home announces opening date following 11 month refurbishment
Ilkley team raises £3,300+ for The Principle Trust in Three Peaks challenge
