Camera trial underway to tackle littering from vehicles

Published: Thu 31st August, 2023

A camera which uses artificial intelligence to capture people littering from vehicles is being trialled in Loughborough.

Charnwood Borough Council will be piloting the LitterCam technology on Warwick Way over a 12-week period.

Vehicle owners could be fined £150 if the cameras catch litter being thrown from the vehicle. New laws introduced in 2018 means registered keepers are held responsible and may be fined or prosecuted.

Cllr Liz Blackshaw, lead member for communities and neighbourhoods said: “Whether litter is being dropped in the street or thrown from a vehicle, it is absolutely unnecessary and completely avoidable.

“Not only does it make areas look untidy, but it can take years to degrade and be harmful to wildlife.

“It is the first time the technology has been used in the borough and the trial will gives us an opportunity to review its effectiveness.

“I hope this pilot will help clamp down on those who think chucking rubbish out of a vehicle is acceptable and make them consider holding onto their litter until they get home.”

The camera will automatically detect rubbish being thrown from a vehicle and could include litter such as cigarette ends, coffee cups, drinks cans and food packaging.

If the offence is caught on the camera, an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera will record the vehicle’s number plate. The footage will be verified by the Council before being sent to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).

Details of the registered keeper will then be shared with the Council so a fixed penalty notice can be issued in the post.

Individuals wanting to see the evidence, will be able to check the footage through an online portal.

Recent reports of litter informed the location of the camera for the pilot scheme.

The trial will be reviewed at the halfway point when the camera may be relocated to a different area of the town.

More information including frequently asked questions can be found on the Council’s website: http://www.charnwood.gov.uk/LitterCam