Wiltshire Council is investing in three mobile CCTV cameras to install at litter hotspots throughout the county to prevent littering and catch offenders.

The three highly visible mobile CCTV towers will be installed in laybys identified as litter hotspots across the county. Anyone caught on video littering in one of these laybys will receive a fixed penalty notice of £500.

The CCTV crackdown on layby littering is part of the council’s Don’t Mess with Wiltshire campaign, which aims to reduce littering in the county and change behaviour.

The campaign is part of a £510,000 extra investment the council has allocated to fund litter enforcement. This is in addition to more than £1.5m that the council currently spends on cleaning up litter across the county yearly.

Cllr Dominic Muns, Cabinet Member for Waste and Environment, said: “Laybys are often litter hotspots, where thoughtless and careless people throw rubbish from vehicles, damaging the environment and generally making Wiltshire a less pleasant place.

“But we are fighting back with these CCTV cameras that will both help to prevent littering and catch culprits in the act. Anyone we catch littering in these laybys will receive a £500 fixed penalty notice which we hope will make them think again the next time they considering littering.

“We have committed to take responsibility for the environment as part of our Business Plan, and we will take action to reduce, prevent and – where required – take action against littering in Wiltshire.

“We are fortunate to live and work in a beautiful county, rich in wildlife and environmental wonders – and we want to keep it litter free and wonderful.”

To report high volumes of litter in Wiltshire or to find out more about the campaign and how to get involved in a community litter pick, people should visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/litter