Bromley Council is offering a reward to those who report fly-tipping in the borough.

The news follows the prosecution of Godfrey Achaw, 22, who appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to fly-tipping waste in a service road at the rear of Altyre Way, Beckenham.

He was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £838.

Councillor Kate Lymer said: “We have no hesitation in prosecuting anyone for fly-tipping or failing in their duty of care. Anyone witnessing fly-tipping happening should call the police immediately and report the details to us.

"We’re particularly interested if your evidence, a vehicle registration or photograph of the offender, for instance, helps us to prosecute them through the court system and you could receive a thank-you payment from us of up to £500."

In August 2018, the council received a complaint that a quantity of waste had been dumped in the service road at the rear of Altyre Way, Beckenham.

The witness reported a vehicle was involved in the fly-tipping incident which included a pile of wood and doors.

The vehicle was from a hire company and investigations revealed that Achaw had been the hirer on the day in question.

In an interview with council officers, he admitted leaving the waste in the service road claiming to have done so on the instructions of a nearby householder, although he was unable to provide details.

Despite agreeing to a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £400 it was never paid, even though a reminder letter was sent, and court proceedings for fly-tipping followed.

Anyone witnessing fly-tipping or another envirocrime taking place is advised to call the police straightaway and report the details to the council at www.bromley.gov.uk/envirocrime

As a ‘thank you’, up to £500 from the Envirocrime Reward Scheme is available to anyone whose evidence is used to successfully prosecute offenders.

A description of the offender, vehicle registration, photograph or any other detailed information could be used as evidence and may enable the council to prosecute.

Residents and businesses have a duty of care to dispose of their waste responsibly or they could face a substantial fine or court action as part of the ‘Fly-tippers - we’re watching you’ campaign.