Artificial intelligence cameras installed to crack down on fly tipping in Birmingham

Three new artificial intelligence CCTV cameras will be installed on streets in Birmingham to help tackle fly-tipping.

Aston, Erdington and North Edgbaston wards will be home to the new cameras, funded by a £45,000 government grant.

The cameras, which are the first of their kind to be used locally, can detect images of suspected dumped rubbish and then automatically alert council officers to the incident, so they don’t have to manually trawl through hours of recorded footage after fly-tipping occurs.

Cllr Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Thanks to the previous investment made by the city council and new grants such as this, we are showing we are on the side of people who care for and value their neighbourhoods – and that we are willing to try out new technology to deliver a cleaner and greener Birmingham.

“There is absolutely no excuse to dump waste on our streets. It’s disgusting and means we have to spend money that could be better used in other ways to meet the priorities of citizens.

“This CCTV should help us monitor hotspot areas in a more efficient way and bring to justice those who are responsible.

"Unfortunately, we have to regularly issue fixed penalty notices to offenders across the city and where appropriate we will take cases through the courts – with hefty fines or prison the uncomfortable prospects for those who are guilty.”