CCTV tower powered by AI to help purge fly-tipping

A new CCTV system powered by artificial intelligence (AI) is being installed in fly-tipping hotspots across west Northamptonshire.

The camera tower will be rotated between different locations until January 2027 to capture evidence and identify vehicles linked to environmental crimes.

More than 21,000 fly-tipping incidents were cleared in the region between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.

Andrew Last, a senior councillor at West Northamptonshire Council, said: "This new AI CCTV tower sends a clear message: we will not tolerate illegal dumping."

He added: "Fly-tipping is a serious environmental crime that damages our communities, harms wildlife and costs taxpayers thousands to clean up."

Monitored by trained operatives, the AI technology could record footage from all angles and detect offences as they happened, according to the Reform UK-led authority.

It also included automatic number plate recognition software, allowing officers to identify suspected offenders more quickly.

A similar initiative in Dartford, Kent had led to significant reductions in fly-tipping, the council claimed.

It encouraged people to report incidents via its website or smart phone app.

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