IN the third of our series marking Not In My Neighbourhood Week, looking at how the authorities are making Newport a better and safer place to live, Jane Helmich reports on action being taken to tackle a blight on many communities.

PRIDE in Newport aims to stamp out fly-tipping.

A key part of the campaign was the development of two rapid response teams to deal with illegally dumped rubbish.

Collecting 40 tonnes of fly-tipped rubbish every month, the teams form part of a daily clean-up operation with nearly 3000 tonnes of litter being swept up from the streets of the city every year.

Cllr David Fouweather, cabinet member for the environment and community safety, said staff worked very hard to clean up the city and collected more than 31 tonnes of rubbish every year.

"They sweep miles of city streets. But simply cleaning up is not enough. To stamp out fly-tipping we must tackle the fly-tippers themselves."

Covert surveillance using sophisticated CCTV equipment has already led to the identification of 22 fly-tipping offences. Legal action is being taken against 14 individuals and businesses, and three cases have been handed over to police to investigate other criminal activity witnessed during these operations.

Pride in Newport has resulted in eight successful fly-tipping prosecutions, resulting in costs and fines of almost £3000.

People living in Newport are themselves increasingly helping to enforce the simple campaign message of "don’t drop it, don’t dump it".

Kathleen Johnson recently helped council officers gain a successful fly-tipping prosecution by providing evidence and photographs.

She said: "Fly-tipping affects everyone and can ruin our local environment and communities. We all have a duty to report it and to help the council to tackle this problem." With more than 400 warning letters and legal notices being handed out, the city is increasingly recognized as a lead authority in Wales for tackling fly-tipping and litter.

Cllr Fouweather added: "Fly-tipping affects every local authority. It costs the tax payer. I would encourage anyone who witnesses an act of fly-tipping to report it. We will take action to make the fly-tipper pay."

What to do with rubbish

Any resident in the city can dispose of their excess waste at the civic amenity site, and can organise special collections from their door for as little as £3.

To report an incident of fly-tipping call 01633 656656 or visit www.newport.gov.uk/pride. All information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence.