Social media stings to target rogue waste traders

Online stings could be used to identify rogue waste traders in a bid to tackle fly-tipping, councillors have been told.

The stings would see a Bradford Council worker contact people claiming to be legitimate waste traders on social media, in an attempt to hire their services.

Traders unable to provide proof they are registered waste collectors could be fined or prosecuted.

Members of the authority's regeneration and environment scrutiny committee also heard measures used to stop fly-tipping included a drone searching for dumped waste in "out of sight" areas.

Illegally dumped waste is considered a "major issue" in Bradford with about 100 tonnes of fly-tipped waste removed from unadopted streets and alleys in the past year.

During an update the committee was told one of the main issues was people advertising rubbish removal services on social media pages, despite having no waste licence.

Customers believe it will be disposed of correctly, but in many cases it is fly-tipped, members were told.

Asked what was being done to try to end the rising trend of illegally dumped waste, Amjad Ishaq, environmental services manager, said: "We're doing a lot more stop and searches to identify people who are illegally carrying waste.

"We're looking at doing some sting operations.

"Rogue traders often advertise their wares on social media, and people can fall victim to that. We're trying to target people who do that."

Bradford Council already uses 175 fixed CCTV cameras across more than 100 locations in the city to catch people fly-tipping.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, at Tuesday's meeting councillor Sarah Ferriby, executive for healthy people and places, said she had frequently warned people to check a firm's waste carrier licence.

"Don't take it as gospel that Joe Bloggs will take your rubbish away for £10 and will dispose of it correctly," she said.

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