Enviro-crimes' such as fly tipping, littering, fly posting and abandoned vehicles have been targeted by the District Council since new laws came into effect in July 2006.

Since adopting the powers - as allowed for in the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act - the Council has cracked down on offenders across the board.

There has also been an effort to prevent such problems from arising in the first place - environmental enforcement officers Steve Williams and Paul Collins have been working with a range of individuals and organisations to try and improve West Wiltshire's street scene.

Since the new powers came into effect, there has been a significant decrease in the amount of fly tipping. Between July and December last year, 123 incidents were reported while just 46 were reported between January and June this year.

However, there are still fly tipping hot spots' where large amounts of rubbish tend to be dumped, and it is likely that the Council will use surveillance technology to try and catch people in the act.

Efforts to clamp down on fly posting have been successful, with all nightclubs and music venues across the district adopting the Council's guidelines on appropriate advertising. These can be obtained by emailing swilliams2@westwiltshire.gov.uk Since April 2007, ten fixed penalty notices have been issued for littering and one case is due to be heard at North Wiltshire magistrates' court. In addition, efforts to target specific areas have been successful - for example, litter around Trowbridge College was significantly reduced after the Council worked in partnership with the local One Stop Shop to improve bin facilities.

Nearly 100 abandoned vehicles have been investigated since April, with 18 towed away. Vehicles that have been burnt out or severely vandalised are removed within 24 hours of the complaint being received.

To report an enviro crime' you can call us on 01225 776655 or email customerservices@westwiltshire.gov.uk

1:04pm Tuesday 11th December 2007

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