A CAMPAIGN to stop fly-tipping has proved successful after more than 460 incidents were investigated last December.

As part of Durham County Council’s Operation Stop It, officers responded to 462 reports of waste being dumped illegally and 18 CCTV cameras were set up at fly-tipping hotspots to help prosecute offenders.

The investigation led to seven duty of care letters being sent to reminding people to dispose of waste properly and two fly-tipping cases were progressed for prosecution.

Operation Stop It, which sees the council work with Durham Police, The Environment Agency and Crimestoppers, was launched in November 2014.

The campaign aims to remind householders that they are legally responsible for ensuring that anyone they use to dispose of their household waste - including furniture, household appliances and building materials - is properly registered with the Environment Agency as a waste carrier.

Businesses are also reminded of their responsibility to check that the licences of the waste carriers they use are correct.

Ian Hoult, neighbourhood protection manager, Durham County Council, said: “While prosecution is always a last resort, we take all environmental crimes extremely seriously and will not allow the minority to spoil the environment for visitors and all those who do respect where they live and work.

“CCTV cameras are proving to be an effective tool by providing robust evidence to help successfully prosecute those who dump waste.

“The message is clear, we will not tolerate environmental crimes like fly-tipping in our county and anyone found to be committing these offences will face action.”

Environmental crimes can be reported online at durham.gov.uk or by calling 03000-261000.