CCTV cameras with AI to tackle fly-tipping

In East Yorkshire, a new plan is being put into action to fight against fly-tipping, which is when people illegally dump rubbish in places where it does not belong. The East Riding of Yorkshire Council has started installing CCTV cameras that use artificial intelligence, or AI, to help catch people who are dumping rubbish. These cameras have already been set up in Cottingham, Boynton, and Rawcliffe, and more will soon be placed in Hessle and another part of Cottingham. The council receives about 2,500 reports of fly-tipping every year, which shows how big of a problem it is in the area, especially in rural parts. Councillor Lyn Healing said that fly-tipping is a serious issue that makes the countryside look bad and causes problems for people living nearby. She explained that the council is investing in these new AI cameras to take stronger action against those who break the law by dumping rubbish. The cameras are not just regular CCTV cameras. They use AI technology to automatically spot when someone is dumping rubbish. When the camera sees this happening, it sends an alert to the council’s enforcement team, who can then go to the site and investigate. The cameras are also protected with anti-vandal features, so if anyone tries to damage or tamper with them, the staff will be notified right away. The council plans to keep these cameras in place for the next 12 months. After a year, they will review how well the cameras worked and decide if they should become a permanent solution. The hope is that the cameras will discourage people from fly-tipping because they know they are being watched and could get caught. If someone is caught dumping rubbish on camera, they could be fined up to £1,000, or even have to go to court. This is meant to be a strong warning to anyone thinking about breaking the rules. The council has tried other ways to stop fly-tipping before, like putting up signs and running campaigns to raise awareness, but the problem has continued. That’s why they are now trying this new technology. The cameras are placed in areas that are known for having problems with fly-tipping, such as quiet country roads and places that are hard to watch all the time. The council hopes that by using AI, they can catch more people in the act and stop them from doing it again. The people who work for the council and check the cameras wear high-visibility jackets so they can be seen easily. The cameras themselves are tall and surrounded by metal fences to keep them safe from damage. The council is also asking local people to help by reporting any fly-tipping they see. They believe that if everyone works together, they can make East Yorkshire a cleaner and better place to live. After the 12-month trial, the council will look at the results and decide if the cameras should stay. If the cameras are successful, they could become a permanent part of the fight against fly-tipping in the area. The council hopes that this new approach will finally make a difference and help keep the countryside clean for everyone.