Newham independent councillor Mehmood Mirza has taken to TikTok to publicly address residents about the persistent problem of fly-tipping.
In a video posted on the social media platform, Mirza stood before a pile of discarded household items, urging constituents to exercise more pride in their community and to utilize the council's free bulky waste collection service. "You can't just blame Newham Council for everything," he stated, emphasizing that residents can book free collections online for up to six items, three times a year.
Fly-tipping has been a significant issue in Newham, which was named London's 'filthiest borough' in 2021 after over 160 incidents were reported in a single week. Earlier this year, the council introduced a 'Wall of Shame,' publishing CCTV footage of suspected offenders caught littering, with residents eligible for a £100 reward if they identify neighbours in the videos.
Mirza, who is the leader of the Newham Independents, picked up a child's swing that had fallen over while recording his message. He also took pictures of the dumped waste to report it to the council.
Mayor of Newham Forhad Hussain echoed the councillor's sentiments, stating, "Fly-tipping has no place in Newham." He added that the council is committed to taking stronger action against those who illegally dump rubbish and that the 'Wall of Shame' aims to make it harder for offenders to operate unseen. Hussain encouraged residents to report incidents, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in keeping Newham clean.
Other London boroughs are also grappling with similar problems. Hillingdon Council officials have expressed frustration with residents who dump rubbish and drive away without consequence. The council has posted photos of alleged offenders on Facebook and is seeking public assistance in identifying them. Hillingdon has also implemented stricter measures, including immediate fines of up to £1,000 and possible prosecution for fly-tipping. The borough recently crushed a flatbed truck linked to illegal dumping after it was caught leaving waste on a residential road.