City of Wolverhampton Council’s Shop a Tipper scheme has resulted in another successful prosecution for fly tipping – and another gift card for an eagle-eyed resident.

Following a report of dumped waste in Wednesfield and further information being provided by the witness, the council was able to bring the case to court.

As a result, the resident received a £100 Enjoy Wolverhampton gift card for the details they reported through Shop a Tipper.

Officers are now reminding offenders that they are being watched – and warning them not to ignore council investigations.

In the latest prosecution, Paul Mansell, of Field Road in Dudley, pleaded guilty to one charge of fly tipping under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. He also admitted one of obstruction under section 110 of The Environment Act 1995 for failing to comply with investigating officers’ requests for assistance.

During a hearing on June 1, Dudley Magistrates Court fined Mansell £200, ordered him to pay costs of £1,000 and a victim surcharge of £80. The costs awarded to the council will be reinvested back into its environmental crime service.

The court heard that at around 1.40pm on August 30 last year, a witness heard a van pull up outside a property in Hart Road, Wednesfield. A man got out of the van to pick up some scrap metal and put it in his van.

He then pulled a large cardboard box out of the vehicle and placed it in the road. He picked up more scrap metal before driving off and leaving the box in the road.

The box was full of wood, bubble wrap and other items. The witness dragged the box out of the road and onto the footpath and reported the incident to the council along with some images.

Council officers investigated and issued a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) to the registered keeper of the vehicle. No response was made so a reminder letter was sent. When no response was received to that, the council issued a notice requiring him to attend an appointment at the council.

When no contact was received and the appointment was missed, the council began the prosecution.

Under Shop a Tipper, residents are encouraged to report any incidents of fly tipping. If the information provided leads to successful identification, and Fixed Penalty Notices are issued and paid or a prosecution takes place, residents receive a £100 Enjoy Wolverhampton gift card.

Residents can contact 01902 552700 with information or report online at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/fly-tipping

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Shop a Tipper has done it again! And it’s many thanks to the resident who came forward to provide us with the vital information.

“Fly tipping is a horrible and unhygienic crime, but Shop a Tipper allows residents to provide information and evidence which can help. This means our officers can investigate and bring people to justice.

“We continue to work hard to deter fly tipping through a variety of methods including our Shop a Tipper scheme, CCTV cameras, a drone and the increase in our Fixed Penalty Notice to £1,000.

“Suspected fly tippers should be aware that they are being watched – and they can’t ignore our investigations.”

Residents are reminded that waste can be disposed of free of charge at the council’s Household Waste and Recycling Centres (tips) which are open 7 days a week from 8am – 4pm. Centres are at Anchor Lane, Bilston and Shaw Road, Wolverhampton.

A bulky item collection service to dispose of big unwanted items is also available, find out more at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste/book-bulky-item-collection