A group of trained SWAT officers have been deployed to Bayswater by Westminster City Council – to tackle fly-tipping head-on.
The Street Waste Action Team (SWAT) was assembled last year as part of a twelve-month pilot undertaken by waste partner Veolia. The project aims to reduce fly-tipping and waste dumping in Westminster’s worst affected wards. The pilot was an overwhelming success and the results dramatic in Warwick, Tachbrook, Vincent Square, Hyde Park and Harrow Road – which saw an overall reduction of 67.5 per cent in waste dumped in residential bin areas.
Westminster Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and City Management, Cllr Tim Mitchell, said: “We know our residents in some wards have concerns about rubbish dumping, particularly around shared bin areas, which is why we formed the The Street Waste Action Team (SWAT). The pilot was an overwhelming success last year and reduced the problem substantially within the five pilot wards. We are delighted to work with Veolia to roll out the SWAT service permanently and look forward to seeing even better results. Westminster is a city for all and we strive to deliver excellent services and make our city a healthier and greener place for everyone.”
Helder Branco, Senior Contract Manager for Veolia said: "Our crews work hard to ensure the streets of Westminster are kept clean. When people illegally dump their waste, it takes valuable time and resources to remove it. Over the past year, Veolia and Westminster City Council have undertaken a targeted education approach which has seen a reduction in illegal dumping. There's still work to be done however, and our SWAT team will be continuing to work with the community in 2019 to keep Westminster looking its best for all residents and visitors."
The team has now been deployed to Bayswater for the next six weeks, and will visit properties to talk to residents about how to dispose of their waste and recycling correctly. There will be a drop-in event, where residents from Bayswater, can come and ask questions the SWAT team questions about dumping or cleansing related issues. The team will be out in their high vis jackets on Saturday, January 19 from 9am until noon in Queensway junction with Westbourne Grove.
The SWAT team will continue to be deployed by the Council in wards across Westminster throughout the year on a case-by-case basis.
The main aims of the project are to:
- Substantially reduce rubbish dumping on streets
- Ensure all residents are aware of how and when to dispose of their rubbish and recycling
- Ensure residents understand the best ways to report problems to the Council so they can be tackled effectively.
Fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence and risk a fixed penalty notice of £200. For more information visit https://www.westminster.gov.uk/swat To discuss SWAT in more detail email the team at [email protected]