DNA testing could be used to catch fly-tippers
WASTE enforcers in Birmingham claim they could use DNA testing to identify those behind an epidemic of fly-tipping across the city.
It is one of the latest ideas being investigated to help the council cut the £800,000-a-year cost of cleaning up the huge piles of household and commercial waste illegally dumped in Birmingham.
Details emerged as the Birmingham Post this week spent a day with the council waste enforcement unit as they investigated and cleaned up tipping hotspots in Highgate, Small Heath and Bordesley Green.
A bag of cannabis, a wig and a shower base tray were among items discovered dumped on public roads.
The unit’s boss, Tony Quigley, said that the tried and tested methods of sifting through bin bags for evidence only went so far and, although they have had some success in the courts, there was a demand for stronger evi- dence. “We are always open to using technology,” he said. “We do not know if the DNA testing will work but we are looking at it. We have to prove beyond any reasonable doubt who is responsible, and this is worth a try.”
The 13-strong group visits fly-tipping hotspots week in, week out, sifting through the rubbish, talking to residents and businesses, and gathering evidence leading to those responsible.
As well as picking up a multitude of bizarre items, the bright yellowjacketed enforcement officers targeted businesses operating without waste disposal contracts and issued an £80 on-the-spot fine to a Bordesley resident caught dropping a bag on the pavement.
The hit squad also teams up with housing officers and local wardens to target areas, identify problems and take action.
Last year they investigated 467 cases, but less than a third led to further action against the culprit. At the other extreme two people were jailed for fly-tipping offences.
But prosecutions are hard to secure because the majority of residents are reluctant to come forward.
“Too many people do not want to know,” said Mr Quigley. “An anonymous tip is a lead, but we need to have evidence of who has committed the fly-tipping. We cannot presume or assume anything.”
The unit has ten CCTV cameras and automatic number plate recognition technology targeting various hotspots. But in a city the size of Birmingham these are only able to cover the worst areas.
We need to have evidence of who has committed the fly-tipping. We cannot presume or assume anything Tony Quigley