ENVIRONMENT bosses could spy on fly-tipping hotspots in Tendring to clampdown on an increase in illegal dumping.

Tendring Council could look into setting up motion-activated cameras at troublespots across the district.

Town Hall bosses blamed their County Hall counterparts for some of the increase after Essex County Council introduced tough new rules last October to ban vans and multi-axle vehicles from entering 12 recycling centres across the county.

The plans were intended to stop the dumping of trade waste at recycling centres, but residents have claimed the rules are preventing them from getting rid of their own DIY or construction waste.

Michael Talbot, Tendring Council’s cabinet member for the environment, said a report set to be discussed by council’s cabinet could include plans for looking at methods of surveillance.

“Fly-tipping has become a real scourge everywhere,” he said.

“I don’t want to turn us into a spying society, but I hope that cabinet will ask for an investigation into what our surveillance powers are.

“We must make it known to the public that if we have sufficient evidence, particularly against business waste disposal, that we will try and prosecute to the maximum extent of the law.

“Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and people can be fined up to £50,000 or sentenced to 12 months in prison if convicted at a magistrate’s court – or an unlimited fine and up to five years in prison if convicted at a crown court.

“A lot of people dumping their stuff don’t realise the extent of the penalties.”

Council leader Neil Stock welcomed the proposal in the wake of two large piles of rubbish, including bumpers and tyres, being dumped in Little Bromley Road, Little Bromley, about a week ago.

“They are blighting our district in an unnecessary and criminal way,” he said.

“I urge all residents to be vigilant and to keep an eye out for vans and pickups loitering by these laybys.

“We all know the hotspots where people seem to fly-tip stuff, but we need evidence to prosecute these people.

“It is costing the taxpayers of Tendring – we are the ones who are paying for it to be cleared up.

“I know that the county council has restricted access at lots of its civic amenity sites, which we have objected to strongly.

“But that isn’t an excuse for dumping stuff in laybys or the side of the road.

“It is a criminal offence and people need to be prosecuted for it.”