Crackdown on crime against environment

1:07pm Tuesday 20th November 2001

POLICE have welcomed a new Bromley Council scheme aimed at catching anti-social “enviro-criminals”.

Informers who help catch fly-tippers, graffiti artists and people who abandon cars will now be in line for a reward of up to £500.

Last year 97 arrests were made in the borough for graffiti, and police hope this number will rise.

Prosecutions for abandoned cars and fly-tipping are much more rare, and it is hoped the reward scheme might help improve this, by encouraging more people to come forward with information, and give evidence if necessary.

Borough liaison officer Inspector Paul Bather said: “We are always hoping for people to come forward with information because these things affect the quality of life of all those who live in the borough.

“There are a number of initiatives going on to deal with graffiti, anti-social behaviour and abandoned vehicles, and we are also supporting the council in its efforts to deal with these problems.

“We are always interested in any intelligence around any area of crime. It affects us all.”

Environmental services chairman Councillor Jenny Hillier said: “We need people's help to stop our borough becoming littered with dumped cars, rubbish and graffiti.

“We will continue to do what we can by removing graffiti from public places, removing ever-increasing abandoned vehicles and dumped rubbish, but we need to catch these people and prosecute them.

“I would ask anyone who sees someone in the act of committing these crimes to report it to the police in the first instance.

“If anyone has information which could lead to the prosecution of these enviro-criminals, please contact the council.”

Information about environmental crimes can be reported by calling the council on 020 8313 4557 or by visiting the website www.bromley.gov.uk

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