Inside Salisbury: Salisbury resident caught with pants down

Wiltshire Council tackles environmental crime

by Annette J Beveridge

A SALISBURY resident was filmed appearing to go to the toilet behind his vehicle last year and received a whopping fine for being ‘caught short’.

The incident was filmed on CCTV in Drove Lane, Coombe Bissett, in October 2024 and caught the individual discarding a soiled tissue.

Wiltshire Council’s Environmental Enforcement Team identified the vehicle involved which led to a littering investigation and a £500 fine.

Cabinet Member for Highways and Street Scene, Councillor Nick Holder, said: “We have made a commitment in our business plan to tackle environmental crime such as fly-tipping and littering in Wiltshire, and our zero-tolerance enforcement approach is going to continue into 2025.”

In November 2024, the team received a report of fly-tipped waste left near a commercial waste skip in Salisbury. The waste consisting of garden refuse and household items was dumped beneath a CCTV-in-operation sign.

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Using the CCTV footage, the team traced the individual and the offender was interviewed under caution and admitted the offence. The excuse was that the household recycling centre was busy. A £1,000 fixed penalty notice was issued.

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Cllr Holder added: “These fines send a clear message that if you damage our environment in this way, we will hold you accountable. In both of these cases, the people were careless and thoughtless, choosing to damage our natural environment rather than dealing with their waste responsibly. We then have to allocate resources to clean up the litter, which is money that could be spent on other council services instead.

“Equally, we want to reward those who help us with our campaign and encourage people to continue to report any incidents they witness, so we can continue to take action and keep Wiltshire beautiful for everyone."

Rewards are offered to those who provide information to the council that leads to the prosecution of an environmental crime or fixed penalty notice. Two residents assisting in the investigation were rewarded with vouchers.

To report fly-tipping or littering, people should visit: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/mywilts