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Bid to fine litterbugs via CCTV
COUNCILS in Bournemouth and Poole will monitor closely the results of a camera-based crackdown on four-wheeled litter louts.
Local authorities in London will try out a government scheme this summer in which CCTV footage and images from mobile phones could be used to prosecute drivers who throw rubbish from their cars.
The government is seeking to close a legal loophole that allows drivers to escape prosecution by labelling their passengers as litter bugs. A change to the law will allow councils to prosecute the registered keeper of the vehicle.
Cllr Bob Lawton, Bournemouth council's cabinet member for the environment and transport, says he will "watch with interest" the London-based pilot scheme.
"The crux of the matter is having CCTV cameras everywhere. We don't have those facilities at the moment. Most of our CCTV is used to keep track of the town centre," said Cllr Lawton.
The transport chief said that current facilities for monitoring traffic extended only as far as speed cameras. New super wardens were on top of town centre rubbish, said Cllr Lawton, adding that the Bournemouth's rating on litter was good.
Cllr Don Collier, Poole council's portfolio holder for the environment, said the majority of motorists were responsible with their rubbish.
Loads slipping from trailers, or carried without a tarpaulin, were a greater source of road-based rubbish than deliberate littering, said Poole's environment chief.
Developments in London would be monitored, added Cllr Collier, who hinted that the government's previous initiatives had left him sceptical.
"This government's law often doesn't match what's on the tin, and very often has unintended consequences," said Cllr Collier.
6:43pm Sunday 13th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: swisstony, poole on 6:58pm Sun 13 Apr 08
So,apparently, Bournemouth's rating on litter is good. Where, therefore, is the justification for this additional spying on citizens?
So,apparently, Bournemouth's rating on litter is good. Where, therefore, is the justification for this additional spying on citizens?
Posted by: paul, poole on 7:42pm Sun 13 Apr 08
£50 on the spot fines from next week please
£50 on the spot fines from next week please
Posted by: fedupwithjobsworths, Moordown on 8:14pm Sun 13 Apr 08
[bold]"A change to the law will allow councils to prosecute the registered keeper of the vehicle."[/bold]
So now it will be legal to be prosecuted for a crime commited by somebody else. What is happening to our human rights in this country - only the guilty are protected.[quote]quote[/quote]
"A change to the law will allow councils to prosecute the registered keeper of the vehicle."
So now it will be legal to be prosecuted for a crime commited by somebody else. What is happening to our human rights in this country - only the guilty are protected.
quote
Posted by: Steve, Bournemouth on 10:13pm Sun 13 Apr 08
"Images from mobile phones" being used as evidence - as an electronics engineer I can't believe I'm reading this!. Any conviction based on an image on a mobile phone is completely unsafe, it is so easy to manipulate using nothing more than photo editing software on a PC!, even if the resolution of the picture is good enough to discern a sweet wrapper or cigarette end being thrown from a car.
"Images from mobile phones" being used as evidence - as an electronics engineer I can't believe I'm reading this!. Any conviction based on an image on a mobile phone is completely unsafe, it is so easy to manipulate using nothing more than photo editing software on a PC!, even if the resolution of the picture is good enough to discern a sweet wrapper or cigarette end being thrown from a car.
Posted by: rayc, Poole on 8:31am Mon 14 Apr 08
you should be very worried if council CCTV evidence is used!
lambeth council have been caught doing it. http://www.thisislon
don.co.uk/standard/a
rticle-23476572-deta
ils/Motorist%20prove
s%20that%20the%20cam
era%20can%20tell%20a
%20lie/article.do?ex
pand=true#StartComme
nts
you should be very worried if council CCTV evidence is used!
lambeth council have been caught doing it. http://www.thisislon
don.co.uk/standard/a
rticle-23476572-deta
ils/Motorist%20prove
s%20that%20the%20cam
era%20can%20tell%20a
%20lie/article.do?ex
pand=true#StartComme
nts
Posted by: rayc, Poole on 8:35am Mon 14 Apr 08
Sorry, hope this works http://www.thisislon
don.co.uk/standard/a
rticle-23476572-deta
ils/Motorist+proves+
that+the+camera+can+
tell+a+lie/article.d
o
Sorry, hope this works http://www.thisislon
don.co.uk/standard/a
rticle-23476572-deta
ils/Motorist+proves+
that+the+camera+can+
tell+a+lie/article.d
o
Posted by: clusters, Bournemouth, Dorset on 9:44am Mon 14 Apr 08
How's about fining all the people who drop litter on the streets after (or during) a drunken night out- they'd make a killing. You only have to walk through Bmth town early in the morning to see the carpet of rubbish. I guess that would be too difficult for big brother because people don't wear plates!
How's about fining all the people who drop litter on the streets after (or during) a drunken night out- they'd make a killing. You only have to walk through Bmth town early in the morning to see the carpet of rubbish. I guess that would be too difficult for big brother because people don't wear plates!
Posted by: RM, Poole, Dorset on 11:19am Mon 14 Apr 08
I find this proposal very scary, particularly as photos from mobile phones will be useable evidence. More of the Big Brother 'guilty until proven innocent' method of control? Write to the Council & complain if you disagree with this proposal. A few policemen/Blunkett's Bobbies walking the streets would be much more effective to actually prevent littering & would gain more support from the public. But hey, would it swell the Council coffers to the same extent?
I find this proposal very scary, particularly as photos from mobile phones will be useable evidence. More of the Big Brother 'guilty until proven innocent' method of control? Write to the Council & complain if you disagree with this proposal. A few policemen/Blunkett's Bobbies walking the streets would be much more effective to actually prevent littering & would gain more support from the public. But hey, would it swell the Council coffers to the same extent?
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