Barnet fly-tipping fines reach £42,500 in CCTV pilot

A six-month pilot project in Barnet aimed at deterring fly-tipping has generated £42,500 in fines. The initiative, which ran from April to October 2026, saw Barnet Council's Community Safety Team use CCTV footage to identify individuals and businesses caught dumping bulky waste in public areas.

More than £13,000 of the total fines have already been paid. The project is part of Barnet Council's broader 'find and fine' campaign, which was launched last year. Under the pilot scheme, officers monitored live CCTV feeds to detect offenders, who were then issued with penalties. The standard fine for fly-tipping begins at £500, increasing to £600 for a subsequent offence.

Camera Network Expansion

The pilot was supported by the deployment of 27 new redeployable cameras, supplementing the borough's existing network of 900 static cameras. Councillor Sara Conway, cabinet member for community safety, stated that the updated CCTV network is proving effective in combating fly-tipping. She noted that some offenders were observed discarding bulky household items next to commercial bins, which, while not in green spaces, still constitutes illegal dumping.

Councillor Conway also advised residents on legal methods for disposing of bulky waste, urging them not to risk fines through laziness. The project is scheduled to continue for the remainder of the financial year, with plans for additional camera installations before the end of 2026.

Resident Reporting Encouraged

Councillor Alan Schneiderman, cabinet member for environment, highlighted that fly-tipping is a frequent concern raised with councillors. He emphasised the importance of taking action to halt the practice in Barnet. Alongside CCTV surveillance and proactive patrols, Councillor Schneiderman urged residents to report any observed fly-tipping incidents or provide information through the council's dedicated web portal.