Another vehicle used to dump waste in the city has been seized and destroyed as City of Wolverhampton Council continues to use tough tactics to combat the crime.

The authority took the decision to crush the car to prevent it from being used in future similar offences and to act as a warning to other offenders.

Destroying vehicles is just one of the powers the council uses to fight this type of environmental crime which impacts towns and cities across the country.

In this case, the VW Golf was used to dump around 10 bags of household waste at the corner of Lime Street and Fisher Street. This is near to St Chad’s Recreation Ground, a local green space that has been impacted by fly tipping.

The incident, which took place in the very early hours of April 8 last year, was caught on council CCTV which had been installed to try and catch those responsible for leaving waste at the location.

The vehicle was seized from the Graiseley area and, after a lengthy investigation by the council’s environmental crime team, the person responsible for dumping the waste was tracked down. They paid a £500 Fixed Penalty Notice.

The vehicle was not claimed and had no resale value, so the council took the decision to destroy it as a warning to others. If it had been sold, any proceeds left following seizure and storage costs, would have to be returned to the keeper. This can mean money is given back to offenders.

In addition, very often vehicles used in fly tipping incidents are already in a poor state and it would not be safe for the council to donate them.

Last month, an additional £257,146 was agreed in the council’s 2026-27 budget to fund extra enforcement staff and security cameras to catch those who dump waste.

This will add to the variety of methods the council already uses in its ongoing attempts to tackle fly tipping, such as CCTV, a drone and £1,000 Fixed Penalty Notice fines, reduced to £500 for early repayment.

These initiatives run alongside the city’s successful Shop a Tipper campaign. Under the campaign, anyone suspected of dumping rubbish has their images shared to appeal for information to help identify them. The council has recently started sharing images online via its website and social media platform Nextdoor.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Fly tipping is a disgusting crime and, quite simply, we will not stand for it.

“The council has the power to seize and destroy vehicles that have been used for dumping waste and we’ve used those powers in this case to send a very clear message to anyone considering this illegal behaviour.

“We’re proud of the work taking place across the city to tackle this careless and damaging crime and we have just agreed to invest an additional £257,146 in tackling the problem in our budget for 2026-27.

“Fly tipping can cost local taxpayers up to £500,000 a year - it is illegal, unhygienic and causes a lot of upset for our residents. We will use every power available to us and will not stand by while criminals damage and degrade our city.”

Under the city’s Shop a Tipper campaign, residents are encouraged to contact the council with information about fly tipping. If the information provided leads to successful identification, and FPNs 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

Residents are also reminded that waste can be disposed of free of charge at our Household Waste and Recycling Centres (tips) which are open 7 days a week from 8am – 4pm. Centres are at Anchor Lane, Lanesfield, 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