But claims that contractors are aiming at 'soft targets'

Around 4,000 fines have been sent out to those suspected of fly-tipping in Ealing but concerns are being raised that they're not being sent to the real culprits.

Four specialist enforcement teams currently operate in the borough and Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) were introduced in August issued by contractors Kingdom on behalf of Ealing Council.

Cllr Bassam Mahfouz, the council’s cabinet member for environment, transport and leisure said:

 “I welcome news that since the introduction of our fly-tip enforcement crews, we have seen a huge 46% drop in the number of fly-tips around the borough and nearly 4,000 fines issued. 

“The message is hitting home to the irresponsible people who think it’s ok to leave their mess for others to deal with.  They risk receiving an unwelcome notice through their letter box with a fine of £400, which if ignored could result in a prosecution, criminal record, being named and shamed and a fine running into thousands of pounds.”

However, not everyone is convinced the current system is working as it should.

Before Christmas James Fuller from Ealing Common was accused of fly-tipping a large cardboard box on a residential road in Southall. He says the box had been used to sell speakers via the Gumtree website.

He tells Ealing Today:

'' Enforcement officers who found the box wrongly assumed - because it had my old address on - that I was the guilty party. They sent me a letter telling me I had a fine of £80 and warned that if I didn't pay I could be taken to court, fined up to £2,500 and end up with a criminal record.''

He says it took several emails, phonecalls and help from his local councillor before the enforcement officials agreed it was a mistake and cancelled the FPN.

'' I agree to cracking down on real fly-tippers but agencies like these seem to be sending penalty notices out too easily, without fully investigating who is actually responsible and that's a worry.''

In other reported incidents a woman in Hanwell was fined for putting extra recycling out and another for pouring coffee down a drain outside Ealing Broadway station.

Cllr Greg Stafford, Conservative Opposition Leader said:

''This tough stance on fly tipping  that the Labour Administration would like us to believe is happening is actually being issued to the soft targets; like the people who put out extra garbage over Christmas.

''The real fly-tippers, those who are dumping large household items are being ignored by the Council because often times the CCTV evidence required for prosecution is not available or better yet, was not working!

''There is a reason why Ealing was recently named as the 15th worse borough in the Country as a Grot Spot and it comes back to the efficiency of our waste & recycling and street cleaning services.  Unfortunately,  until Labour acknowledges that there are genuine problems in this service area, the soft targets will continue to be a risk for a trumped up fine.”

We have asked Ealing Council how much money has been made by contractors since the introduction of the FPNs and are awating a response.

28th February 2017