Barnet Council has launched a crackdown on fly-tipping at hotspot locations around the borough as part of its Caring for our Places campaign.
The initiative will see a dedicated team deployed daily to clear illegally dumped waste and gather evidence so that people who fly tip can be caught and prosecuted.
It comes after more than 8,000 fly-tips were reported to the council in 2023/24, with each tonne of waste costing the council £100 to clear.
The joint operation between the Street Scene Team and Community Safety Team will inspect the waste for evidence of origin or ownership.
Fixed-penalty notices of £200 will be issued to first-time offenders, rising to £400 for those caught fly-tipping a second time.
Businesses also have a duty of care to ensure their waste is removed by a licensed waste carrier, and those caught fly-tipping will face a £300 fine.
Cllr Alan Schneiderman, Barnet Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said:
“Illegally dumped waste blights neighbourhoods and pollutes the environment, as well as costing the council money that could be spent on key services for our residents.
“As a council that puts ‘Caring for our Places’ as a priority, we are sending out a clear message that we will not tolerate fly-tipping and will take tough action against those caught breaking the law.
“By launching this crackdown, we are determined to ensure residents and communities feel safer, and our spaces are clean and welcoming for everyone to enjoy.”
Residents can report anyone seen fly-tipping using the council’s online portal, accessible through their My Account portal at barnet.gov.uk or by searching for ‘report a problem’ from the homepage.
Reports should include as much information as possible about the issue, including the exact location and any available images.