Secret cameras to catch fly-tippers

One such hotspot is a lane in Newstead, not far from the site of the former Annesley Colliery, where footage shows a lorry-driver dumping about 70 tyres.

It happened at about 7 pm on Friday September 12 and the Environment Agency are now appealing for witnesses. Film of the dumping was shown on TV this week in a bid to identify the driver.

"In Ashfield, we have an emerging problem with tyres being dumped," said Peter Rutherford, environmental-crime team leader.

"This is not only a blot on the landscape but also very expensive to clear up and ensure the tyres are properly disposed of.

"Fly-tipping costs the authorities in Nottinghamshire 1 million a year to clear up. Fly-tippers should be warned that if they commit a crime, it is now quite likely they will be caught on camera and prosecuted."

The Environment Agency have embarked on a two-year partnership, entitled Operation Maid Marian, with Notts County Councils and seven district councils, including Ashfield, to crack down on fly-tipping.

The aim is to share information and resources, usin g the latest technology, such as covert surveillance cameras to catch offenders.

And this week, the Environment Agency met Hucknall's Labour MP, Paddy Tipping, to discuss the problem of fly-tipping and to show him what is being done to tackle it.

Said Mr Tipping: "Fly-tipping is a crime – against our environment and our local neighbourhood.

"We need to get tough with offenders. First catch them and then ask the courts for a severe punishment."