Citizen magazine Winter 2024 - text version - Fly-tipping court victory

Fly-tipping court victory 

Court victory for Love Norwich campaign

A local man and his company have been fined more than £4,000 after admitting three fly-tipping offences in the magistrates’ court, following enforcement action by the city council.

Frankie Gunner admitted dumping waste without a permit between July last year and this February. He was ordered to pay £1,223 in fines and costs and his company – Norwich City Skimmers – was ordered to pay £2,792.

He was also sentenced to 180 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within the next 12 months.

Councillor Emma Hampton, cabinet member for a climate responsive Norwich, said: “Our Love Norwich campaign is taking tough action on offenders who blight the streets of our wonderful city. Wherever possible, we will pursue them through the courts and hold them accountable for their careless and thoughtless actions which impacts local residents across our communities.”

The Love Norwich campaign is part of the council’s commitment to build partnerships with residents and businesses to create real change where communities can take pride in their neighbourhoods.

Earlier this year, new high-quality CCTV cameras have been installed at Normandie Tower, Springbank, Douro Place, Marlpit Lane, Bowers Avenue and Heathgate. These are known fly-tipping hot spots so any CCTV footage
captured from these cameras can provide evidence of fly-tipping which will help to identify the perpetrators, and any subsequent enforcement measures the council can take as a result.

Eleven penalty notices and more than 50 warning letters have been issued since 2023. Fly-tipping is a crime with over 5,000 incidences in the city every year. A public survey carried out in 2022 showed that over 70 per cent of our residents were supportive that the council takes steps to tackle the issue.