A NEW digital ‘Wall of Shame’ to identify fly-tippers and publicise those convicted of the offence is being launched.

The online page, where people can upload videos and photographs and examine footage of rubbish dumping incidents, is the latest move by Blackburn with Darwen Council to tackle the waste blight in the borough.

Environment boss Cllr Jim Smith announced the scheme, which goes live later this month, to Blackburn with Darwen’s full Council Forum on Thursday night.

He hopes that by publicising fly-tipping incidents residents will be able to identify the culprits so they can be prosecuted and fined.

Details of successful court cases will be posted on the online page to ‘name and shame’ offenders. The ‘Wall of Shame’ will use the council’s own footage and photographs and those submitted by the public.

The move has been welcomed by Conservative group environment spokeswoman Cllr Jean Rigby and Darwen East Liberal Democrat Cllr Paul Browne.

Cllr Smith said: “We understand this is quite a confronting approach, but taking this action is a last resort and a necessary one to protect our environment, building on the CCTV and photos we are already receiving from the public. We don’t want do this but we have no choice.

“We know the majority of our residents take pride in their areas and are fed-up with the minority who make parts of the borough dirty and unsafe.

“We are asking residents to be our eyes and ears so we can tackle those who do not take pride in where they live.

“Residents who go online and recognise a guilty party will be asked to contact the council.

Blaclkburn with Darwen Councils fly-tipping Wall of Shame

Blaclkburn with Darwen Council's fly-tipping 'Wall of Shame'

“No one wants a pile of rubbish dumped on their street and some places are getting fly-tipped week in week out. The Wall of Shame is a way everyone can help do their bit. If you see someone you know doing something they shouldn’t, you can tell us anonymously.”

Cllr Rigby said: “It is a great idea if it works. The council needs people to help it tackle fly-tipping.”

Cllr Browne said: “This is a good idea. Fly-tipping is a real menace. There are some dirty people in this borough.”

Back up measures include a network of 20 CCTV cameras; a dedicated education officer working with schools and community groups; and videos in several different languages about the problem.

Since April this year, the council’s enforcement teams have dealt with more 2,080 grime-crime cases leading to 75 successful prosecutions. Fly-tipping costs the council £250,000 to clear up last year.