A senior Conservative councillor in the Midlands is pushing for Coventry City Council to deploy aerial drones as a new weapon in the city's battle against illegal waste dumping.
Call for High-Tech Enforcement
The council's opposition leader, Conservative Councillor Gary Ridley, has publicly called for the authority to create a dedicated drone unit. He argues the technology is essential to locate, monitor, and gather evidence on fly-tippers who blight streets, parks, and public spaces.
"Fly-tipping costs taxpayers thousands of pounds and drags down neighbourhoods," stated Cllr Ridley. "We must use every tool available to deter offenders and support enforcement teams."
He will directly question the cabinet member for communities and housing, Councillor Abdul Khan, on the proposal during a full council meeting on January 13.
Substantial Funds and a Growing Problem
The call for action comes as Coventry City Council deals with thousands of fly-tipping reports each year. To confront the issue, the authority has allocated a significant £500,000 since April last year specifically for enforcement and clearance.
While the council is already implementing a scheme involving improved street cleaning, more CCTV cameras, and targeted action in known problem areas, Cllr Ridley believes adding drones is a logical next step.
"Other councils have already begun to use drones with promising results and it's time for Coventry to follow suit," he said.
Proven Success in Other Regions
The proposal is backed by evidence from other local authorities that have adopted the technology. Maidstone Borough Council is cited as one example, where drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras have dramatically cut the time needed to find illegally dumped rubbish.
Officials there report that what once took hours can now be achieved in minutes, particularly in expansive countryside areas. This efficiency allows for quicker clearance of reported incidents and strengthens joint operations with other agencies.
Recent changes in national policy also aim to equip councils with enhanced powers to tackle fly-tipping, explicitly endorsing the use of tools like drones and mobile CCTV to identify vehicles and culprits.
Cllr Ridley concluded: "By investing in drones alongside existing enforcement, we can deter would-be offenders, gather evidence more effectively, and protect our city's environment."
