0:00:02 > 0:00:05Never before have so many on-the-spot fines been issued in Britain.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08- OK.- You're about to fine me. I don't have any money for that.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12- Come here.- We're going to be following the men and women who hand out
0:00:12 > 0:00:15over £30 million worth of tickets every month...
0:00:15 > 0:00:17Hello?
0:00:17 > 0:00:19- That gets my goat! - My jaw is dropping.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22..for behaviour that's downright dangerous...
0:00:24 > 0:00:25..simply selfish...
0:00:25 > 0:00:28- It's been defrosted a while, that, hasn't it?- Yeah.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30..or just, well, plain silly.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Get off your phone! Doughnut.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36'We'll be revealing the cost of their bad behaviour...'
0:00:36 > 0:00:39- How much is the fine on this one? - £100 for no seat belt.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42- It's expensive.- I know, yeah. - ..and how this could affect you.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45I'm in the middle of a job. I'm working. I'm a builder.
0:00:45 > 0:00:46The police are on it...
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Out of your mouth, now!
0:00:48 > 0:00:50'The parking wardens are on it...'
0:00:50 > 0:00:52So once it's printed, that's it.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54There's no point arguing the point.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56'And I'm on it.' Put your seat belt on!
0:00:56 > 0:00:57Cheeky monkeys.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00I'm Dom Littlewood, and I'm On The Spot.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05'This time...' That was naughty, wasn't it?
0:01:05 > 0:01:07- Yeah.- '..has this litter lout got something else to hide?'
0:01:07 > 0:01:10Drop! Spit them out, now!
0:01:10 > 0:01:12Spit them out!
0:01:12 > 0:01:16I go undercover in the hunt for blue badge abusers.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18Just what the doctor ordered.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20Oh, that's better.
0:01:20 > 0:01:25And, in Pendle, it's a stakeout in pursuit of Public Enemy Number One.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Or should that be Public Enemy Number Two?
0:01:28 > 0:01:30There's two piles of dog mess here. This is where the dog goes.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32This is its spot.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Today, I'm in Manchester,
0:01:38 > 0:01:42where I'm joining PC Matt Picton of the Greater Manchester Police.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46I'm going to be spending a bit of time with him in his office,
0:01:46 > 0:01:49but his office just happens to be an unmarked Beemer.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Mate, you don't mind me eating in the car, do you?
0:01:51 > 0:01:55- No, absolutely not. You carry on. - I bet it's something you do all the time, isn't it?- Yes.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Like I say, it's like a mobile police station.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00We're obviously out in them for seven, eight hours a day,
0:02:00 > 0:02:02and you do everything in here.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05'Yeah, you can even have your lunch, Matt. Don't mind me.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09'But be careful of indigestion, because Matt is a busy traffic cop,
0:02:09 > 0:02:13'and you never know when you might chance upon a dodgy driver.'
0:02:14 > 0:02:17- That was naughty, wasn't it? - Yeah, right in front of us.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22- I'm not quite convinced it wasn't a spliff, to be honest, either.- Yeah.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Just to explain what was going on there, a car went past us
0:02:25 > 0:02:28and the driver threw what looked like a cigarette
0:02:28 > 0:02:30out of the passenger window,
0:02:30 > 0:02:32which is a bit of an odd thing to do, and Matt here suspects
0:02:32 > 0:02:34that it might have been a spliff.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36'A spliff, or a cannabis rolled cigarette,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39'could mean he'll face much bigger charges than just littering.'
0:02:39 > 0:02:42It certainly wasn't a cigarette that he threw out the window,
0:02:42 > 0:02:44so that would give me suspicion.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46- Yeah.- And the fact is, he's got a brake light out,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48he's committed a moving traffic offence,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51and he's now not paying attention, means that we can
0:02:51 > 0:02:54drug-test them anyway, because they've committed an offence.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56Right in front of you.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58He couldn't have done it in a worse place, could he? HORN HONKS
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Well, whether it was a spliff or not, it looks like
0:03:01 > 0:03:04the problems are starting to mount up for this driver.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07- Hello, buddy. You all right?- Yeah.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10Just come and join on the pavement. I don't want to get run over.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Right, OK. One of you flicked something out of the window.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16- Was it you?- What? - Threw your cig out the window?
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- Possibly, yeah.- "Possibly, yeah?" Well, you either did or you didn't.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23- Right. It's littering. - LAUGHTER
0:03:23 > 0:03:26You can't do that. You jump out and have a chat with me.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29So, you're telling me you don't smoke cannabis.
0:03:29 > 0:03:30There's no cannabis in this car.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32Is it registered and insured to you?
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Right, OK. Just you stand over there a second.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42So when was the last time you cleaned your car out?
0:03:42 > 0:03:44I see what he's saying about cleaning your car out.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46- Good Lord!- Come on, you come and join me.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50So, with the litterbug finally coming clean about his offence,
0:03:50 > 0:03:53it's time for him to face the music.
0:03:53 > 0:03:54Right, you have a seat in there for me.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Right. OK.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06It might seem petty,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09however, throwing rubbish out of the window of a car...
0:04:09 > 0:04:10No, you don't pay me.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Or flicking cigarettes out of a window causes
0:04:13 > 0:04:16massive issues for the council, basically.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20They've got to then pay someone to come and clean up after you,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23and it's not fair on them, is it, to have to pay to pick up your litter?
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Now, the eagle eyes of Matt there spotted a cigarette
0:04:26 > 0:04:29being thrown out the window. I saw it as well. It was pretty blatant.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31In fact, it was almost aimed at the car.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35The nub of it is,
0:04:35 > 0:04:37he's getting a ticket for littering on the highway.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40I have to say, he doesn't seem too bothered about his impending fine.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43In fact, he seems more interested in playing on his phone.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47He's actually making a mockery of the whole system, because he's filming the officer.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50He's actually filming us now, if you look at this. He really just doesn't seem to care less.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Now, for someone like Matt,
0:04:52 > 0:04:55he's got to really sort of bite his tongue there and not speak his mind,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58because that's got to be pretty aggravating.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00I find it aggravating enough, when a camera's filming me,
0:05:00 > 0:05:03let alone when you're trying to do your job like that!
0:05:04 > 0:05:07RADIO CHATTER
0:05:07 > 0:05:11Could you do us a body check, please, on Trafford Road?
0:05:11 > 0:05:12- RADIO:- Stand by.
0:05:14 > 0:05:15Matt's called in his details to HQ,
0:05:15 > 0:05:19and it turns out there's two outstanding warrants for his arrest.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Handcuffs have just been slapped on this guy.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27He's still laughing and taking photographs,
0:05:27 > 0:05:30but obviously things have taken a serious turn now.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Seems like he's a person of interest in another case,
0:05:33 > 0:05:35so he's going down the station.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38I think, in relation to the fine for littering,
0:05:38 > 0:05:40that's the least of your worries.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43Sit tight, pal, just waiting for a van. All right.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45I think in this instance,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48giving up smoking would have been a really good idea.
0:05:48 > 0:05:49And he might need that phone now,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52to let his friends knows his plans are about to change.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54OK, my friend, he's coming with us.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56He's got an outstanding warrant.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59Right, in relation to you,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02you need to get your brake light fixed.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05But just as Matt's breaking the news to them that they're going to be
0:06:05 > 0:06:07a person light on their journey home,
0:06:07 > 0:06:09inside the car, the litterbug
0:06:09 > 0:06:12looks like he's swallowing something in a hurry.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Out your mouth! Out your mouth, now!
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Out your mouth! Drop!
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Spit them out, now! Spit them out!
0:06:23 > 0:06:25Get on the floor.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Stay there, all right?
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Matt's had to move fast.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32We've just seen this lad take a whole load of pills,
0:06:32 > 0:06:34and we've no idea what they are.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36What have you gone and done that for?
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Eh? What happens if you've overdosed? Eh?
0:06:39 > 0:06:42You won't? How do you know? What have you taken?
0:06:42 > 0:06:44There's a whole load of drugs now on the back seat.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47I saw the guy trying to swallow as many as he could.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49I mean, it was a big packet.
0:06:49 > 0:06:50And how many have you taken?
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Five?
0:06:54 > 0:06:562892, I'm going to need an ambulance as well.
0:06:58 > 0:06:59- RADIO:- Roger.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06You know, obviously, we're a bit concerned now for what's going on.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08An ambulance has been called.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11It's gone from a simple offence of throwing a cigarette
0:07:11 > 0:07:14out of the back of a car, littering, to something now which is...
0:07:14 > 0:07:16which is quite shocking, really. SIREN
0:07:16 > 0:07:20Matt's priority now is to make sure this young lad is safe.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25So, we'll sit you up. You need to be sick, for your own benefit.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27RADIO CHATTER
0:07:27 > 0:07:33OK? Any movement, to try and run off or make off or fight,
0:07:33 > 0:07:35and I'll Taser you.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Understand?
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Stay there with your legs crossed.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45You make any movement to go anywhere...
0:07:45 > 0:07:46No, you can't have a cigarette.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50It's crazy how these things escalate. He was pulled over
0:07:50 > 0:07:54because he threw a cigarette butt out of the car, for littering.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57It's just gone from a littering charge to chaos.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03After they finally get him in the back of the van,
0:08:03 > 0:08:05Matt has time to catch his breath.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08We would never have been aware of him had we not decided to
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- stop that car for something that people think is petty.- Yeah.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13But small offences do lead to big offences,
0:08:13 > 0:08:14especially when you're on traffic.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17You just stop cars for no seat belt, a light out,
0:08:17 > 0:08:19and next thing you know, you're finding all kind of things.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23He's now in the back of an ambulance now, semi-unconscious,
0:08:23 > 0:08:26and he's going to end up in hospital for a day, two days, and then,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29when he gets released from there, he'll be dealt with by us,
0:08:29 > 0:08:33- and then placed before a court. - Possible prison? - Possible prison, yeah.
0:08:33 > 0:08:34What a crazy afternoon!
0:08:34 > 0:08:38It just goes to show that what we're doing is invaluable, sometimes.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41I mean, yeah, we're giving tickets out to people for road safety,
0:08:41 > 0:08:43but ultimately we're cops, aren't we,
0:08:43 > 0:08:46and if we end up with something like this, we deal with it.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48- Definitely not his lucky day.- No.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50Right, good to go.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55Dog poo. No-one likes it.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57It's dirty, it's smelly,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00and in some cases it can make you seriously ill.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03And if you don't pick your dog poo up,
0:09:03 > 0:09:05you're going to get yourself a fine.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08But catching the culprit is easier said than done.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12DOG BARKS
0:09:12 > 0:09:17It's estimated that there are over 8.5 million dogs in the UK,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20and while most people look after their pets responsibly,
0:09:20 > 0:09:24dog-fouling is a huge problem for councils.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28You can be fined £100 if you don't carry a bag to clean up
0:09:28 > 0:09:32after your dog, but that threat doesn't seem to bother some people.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34Look! Hello.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37We hate dog mess because we have three spaniels of our own,
0:09:37 > 0:09:41and we always clean up our own dog mess and also we'll actually pick up
0:09:41 > 0:09:44other people's as well, to make sure the place is kept clean.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47One guy on my road, all he does,
0:09:47 > 0:09:51he drops dog litter, so he drops the poo and he doesn't pick it up,
0:09:51 > 0:09:54so, definitely, I think they should be fined, 100%.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57And just, pppphh! On the floor, and
0:09:57 > 0:10:01"Come on, darling," to the dogs!
0:10:04 > 0:10:07In Pendle, Jon Yurek, Environmental Crime Officer,
0:10:07 > 0:10:09is on a mission.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15We're going to go to Ravenscroft Road,
0:10:15 > 0:10:18and there is a report of dog fouling.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20This is a tip-off from the general public.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27The tip-off Jon's received has brought him to a garage on an industrial estate.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31A member of the public claims to have witnessed a man allowing
0:10:31 > 0:10:34his dog to do its business on a footpath every single morning.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37The only other clue Jon has to go on
0:10:37 > 0:10:40is that the suspect's vehicle is blue and white.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42I've been told between half past seven and eight o'clock is
0:10:42 > 0:10:44when he turns up.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46You can see the garage is closed,
0:10:46 > 0:10:48the gate's locked, so no-one's turned up yet.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52All Jon can do now is play the waiting game.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05This dog won't turn up, I know this dog won't turn up.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08If there was a dog here every day,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11you would find copious amounts of dog mess.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13It'd be everywhere, wouldn't it?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19But just as he's about to give up...
0:11:19 > 0:11:23Ah, there's the man. This is the guy turning up.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26..a van arrives, and it matches the description.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28If the intelligence I've been given is correct,
0:11:28 > 0:11:33I would expect that the dog is released pretty much as soon as
0:11:33 > 0:11:36the van goes inside. So let's see what happens.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44But after patiently waiting, there's still no sign of a dog.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46There's no dog here, is there?
0:11:46 > 0:11:49I can't see him going inside, making himself a pot of coffee,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51having his breakfast, checking his e-mails,
0:11:51 > 0:11:54coming out and then releasing the dog.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57That wouldn't be normal behaviour. There's no dog here.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00Has Jon been sent on a wild goose chase?
0:12:00 > 0:12:03It's certainly beginning to look that way.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05But what's this?
0:12:05 > 0:12:07Another blue and white vehicle.
0:12:07 > 0:12:08Ah, dog!
0:12:10 > 0:12:11It's the prime suspect!
0:12:11 > 0:12:13But has he been a naughty boy?
0:12:14 > 0:12:16There's the guy.
0:12:16 > 0:12:17Is Jon onto something?
0:12:17 > 0:12:20Or is he barking up the wrong tree?
0:12:20 > 0:12:21Time for a sniff around.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31It's not yet certain this dog has been doing its business on public land.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35- Hello. - DOG BARKS
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Jon needs solid evidence,
0:12:37 > 0:12:41and by solid, yes, I really do mean solid.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45This is where the dog fouled, here.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47But you can see, there's one, two...
0:12:47 > 0:12:51there's two piles of dog mess here. This is where the dog goes.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53This is its spot.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56We're going to blur these little blighters so you're not put off.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Yep, that's better.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00But with several deposits at the scene,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03how will Jon identify the right one?
0:13:03 > 0:13:05He can't exactly dust it for prints.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10OK, so, the report I got from the general public was correct.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12I've taken a photograph of the dog.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14CAMERA CLICKS
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- And I've taken a photograph of the fresh faeces. - CAMERA CLICKS
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Let's see what the guy's got to say.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21But whilst Jon's been taking photos,
0:13:21 > 0:13:24could the guy have been back to the scene
0:13:24 > 0:13:25and tampered with the evidence?
0:13:26 > 0:13:29A quick word with you, please, sir?
0:13:29 > 0:13:32- I'm from Pendle Borough Council. - Yeah?- Environmental Crime Officer.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36All right? I notice you've just gone and picked up a defecation now.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38- Yeah.- But when your dog was here, it went straight over there,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41fouled the ground, and you walked into the building there.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43- Yeah.- OK? What I believe is that you've committed the offence of
0:13:43 > 0:13:46dog fouling, which is failing to pick up forthwith.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Oh, dear. This could throw a spanner in the works.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55If it is private land, he might not be able to issue a fine.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Was all that waiting around for nothing?
0:13:59 > 0:14:01Jon will need to do some checks at the office.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06But he still takes the bloke's details,
0:14:06 > 0:14:08because if this is public land,
0:14:08 > 0:14:11he could be in line for a £75 on-the-spot fine.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14But he'll have to wait to find out.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17It's the offence of failing to pick up forthwith, OK?
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- Is it? Right.- That's the offence, sir. All right?- Right.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23I was unaware that, on private land, it was still an offence.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Well, that's what I'm saying to you. If it's private,
0:14:25 > 0:14:28then that can be disputed with, obviously, your boss and stuff,
0:14:28 > 0:14:30with regards to the fouling on private land.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34Even though it is private land, you know,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37I thought it didn't make any difference.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39Away from where everybody's walking,
0:14:39 > 0:14:41I think it's a bit, probably a bit harsh, really.
0:14:41 > 0:14:42I'm not happy about it.
0:14:44 > 0:14:45Jon doesn't look happy either.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49But if it is private land, there might be nothing he can do.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53But that won't stop him from trying.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Once he's on the scent, he's like a dog with a bone.
0:15:00 > 0:15:05I've done a land registry check on the area, and it does appear
0:15:05 > 0:15:07that the dog fouling took place
0:15:07 > 0:15:10just within the boundaries of the private land.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13So, in relation to prosecuting the individual for dog fouling,
0:15:13 > 0:15:15there's not a lot we can do.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18For now, this gentleman won't be getting any further action
0:15:18 > 0:15:22against him, because the dog has defecated in private land
0:15:22 > 0:15:23and not on public land.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27I am gutted, because I can't pursue this.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30- The battle goes on. - HE CHUCKLES
0:15:30 > 0:15:33So close, yet so far.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37But it looks as if Jon will have to put away the fine book for now.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39But litterers of Pendle, beware.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42This dirt detective could be watching you.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53Blue Badges - they're a crucial lifeline for disabled drivers.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56But misusing your badge is a criminal offence,
0:15:56 > 0:16:02and nationwide, prosecutions have risen by a whopping 67% since 2013.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07- They're lousy. Lousy. - SHE LAUGHS
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Sorry about that, but they shouldn't!
0:16:10 > 0:16:13If you're... I mean, the poor people who need to drive,
0:16:13 > 0:16:15they need their space,
0:16:15 > 0:16:19as far as I'm concerned. And if I was still driving,
0:16:19 > 0:16:21I certainly wouldn't park in their spaces.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23People might think it's just being a little bit cheeky,
0:16:23 > 0:16:26it's not hurting anyone, but, yeah, it is, you know, there's...
0:16:26 > 0:16:30I've seen people trying to get into disabled bays when there aren't spaces available.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33You know, is it because someone who is registered disabled is in there,
0:16:33 > 0:16:36or is it someone who's being a little bit louche with the...
0:16:36 > 0:16:39and a bit lax with the rules?
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- Well, that's a bit naughty. - Yeah.- Don't like that at all.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44- Yeah, that's right.- Have a guess what the penalty could be.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46- No.- £1,000?
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Yep, up to £1,000 and you get a criminal record.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52Oh, I see. We'd better be a bit careful then.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55You'd better be a bit careful indeed.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59And Blue Badge abusers of Enfield especially beware.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01The enforcers are out and about,
0:17:01 > 0:17:03and you might not spot them coming,
0:17:03 > 0:17:05because today they're undercover.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08There are 2.5 million Blue Badges in the UK being used,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10but not all of them are being used correctly.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13And these ladies are out to catch the bad guys.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15Isn't that right, ladies?
0:17:15 > 0:17:17You're going to get the bad guys today, yeah?
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Vicky Woodgate and her colleague Elaine Barnes
0:17:21 > 0:17:24are the borough's finest.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26But don't let their casual clothes fool you.
0:17:26 > 0:17:27They mean business.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32So, on average, how many people a day, a week, a month, or whatever,
0:17:32 > 0:17:34are you actually catching misusing badges?
0:17:34 > 0:17:38One in four people that we speak to are misusing. Yeah.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Oh, you surprise me. I thought it was going to be, you know,
0:17:40 > 0:17:44every now and again you'll catch one, but if it's 25% of people,
0:17:44 > 0:17:47that's pretty bad. Right, so, tell me what you're looking for.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51We are looking for vehicles displaying Blue Badges...
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- OK.- ..as this one is. It's parked on a single yellow line.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56So you're allowed to park on a single yellow line...
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- Yeah.- ..if you display a Blue Badge.- OK.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02I'm going to write the details down on my inspection sheet,
0:18:02 > 0:18:05- and Vicky's going to... - I'm going to take the photograph of the vehicle.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09- But hang on, has it actually committed an offence yet? - We don't know yet.- We don't know.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13- We won't know until the person comes back to the vehicle.- Right. So why are you trying to photo it?
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- If it turns out to be a misuse... - Then you need that evidence?
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- ..then our photographs will be evidence.- Gotcha.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20I love this cloak and dagger stuff!
0:18:20 > 0:18:23And given the weather, I think I might need to go undercover as well.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27While you're doing that, I'm just going to nip in there and get a hat,
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- cos my head is absolutely frozen. - OK. Not a problem.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Just what the doctor ordered.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Oh, that's better.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40No-one will recognise me now.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42Right, on with catching the baddies.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46What's the longest you've ever had to wait for someone to come back?
0:18:46 > 0:18:49We have waited an hour, an hour and a half for a person to come back.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- I've waited a couple of hours. - Have you?
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Two hours?! I'm glad I bought that hat.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56- Scary.- Sometimes we'll get to a point and think,
0:18:56 > 0:18:58"Well, they're not going to come back,"
0:18:58 > 0:19:02and then we'll just rely on the CCTV, and then watch it to see
0:19:02 > 0:19:04who comes back and who goes.
0:19:04 > 0:19:09- There's no escaping Enfield Blue Badge enforcement officers, is there?- No, there isn't.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Tell me about the fines and penalties which can be imposed
0:19:12 > 0:19:14if people are misusing these badges.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18Right, OK. So it'll go to a Magistrates' Court,
0:19:18 > 0:19:21and the maximum fine is up to £1,000.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23That's an expensive parking ticket, isn't it?
0:19:23 > 0:19:24Very. And a criminal record.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- Gordon Bennett! It's quite tough.- Yeah.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31You'd think that would be enough to put people off,
0:19:31 > 0:19:33but these ladies are here if it doesn't,
0:19:33 > 0:19:35and they've found another badge to scrutinise.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40How do you know that it is the right female?
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Because she might have just lent it to a mate or a sister
0:19:43 > 0:19:45- who's a very similar age.- Yeah, I mean, obviously when someone
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- comes back to the vehicle, we ask to look at the badge...- Yeah.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51..and on the back of the badge is a photograph of the badge holder.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53Is there any other way of checking?
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Yes, we've actually got a database, the Blue Badge Database,
0:19:56 > 0:19:59where we can put in the badge details and that brings up
0:19:59 > 0:20:02all the badge details, including the photograph of the badge holder.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Do you know what? Half the problem is here.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07You've got 14-inch nails on there, haven't you?
0:20:07 > 0:20:10- I know.- Honestly, you could dig a garden with those things! LAUGHTER
0:20:10 > 0:20:12HORN HONKS All right, fella?
0:20:12 > 0:20:15Get off your phone! Doughnut.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21So, that's two vehicles down and still no luck.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24But this duo are determined to wheedle out people abusing the system.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28Now, she's spotted this lady returning to the vehicle.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31In theory, she should be about mid-60s and female.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33Obviously, the gender's correct.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36She's just having a quick look now to make sure she's the right person.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38I tell you what, it's like following a pair of bloodhounds.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42INDISTINCT
0:20:42 > 0:20:44And then, it's on to the next one.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Can I just check that the Blue Badge is yours? I'm from Enfield Council.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50We're just doing Blue Badge patrols.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52- Can I come under here with you? - Yeah, course you can.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55- We'll let him stand in the rain, shall we?- Yeah, it's all right.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59- Are you using this Blue Badge legally?- Yes.- Good for you.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03What do you think of people who abuse Blue Badges and park in
0:21:03 > 0:21:06these spaces, which obviously disabled people can use,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- and they shouldn't be? - I'll tell you a little story.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- A guy pulled up behind me... - Yeah.- "You can't park there."
0:21:12 > 0:21:13I said, "Why? I'm disabled."
0:21:13 > 0:21:15He says, "You ain't got a Blue Badge."
0:21:15 > 0:21:17I said, "Have a look round the front."
0:21:17 > 0:21:19He said to you, "You're not disabled."
0:21:19 > 0:21:21- Yeah, I'm not disabled.- Yeah.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23How many people say that to you? Do you get that quite a lot?
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Yeah, I do, because I've got two new knees and I've got a new hip.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- Yeah.- And the next one will be bionic, so that's it.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- Good Lord, he's like Steve Austin, isn't he?- Yeah. - LAUGHTER
0:21:31 > 0:21:33But you are disabled, you're entitled to the badge.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- Yeah.- And obviously some people will have a go at you cos they say
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- you look fit and healthy. - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43So, that's four legitimate Blue Badge users.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45With the ladies' one-in-four hit rate,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48either the people of Enfield are behaving themselves today,
0:21:48 > 0:21:51or the owner of the next vehicle is in trouble.
0:21:52 > 0:21:53What's in your radar now?
0:21:53 > 0:21:57My radar is there's a disabled parking bay just here.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- Yes.- So the vehicle should be displaying a Blue Badge...
0:22:00 > 0:22:03- Yes.- ..as it's a disabled parking bay.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05So what do we know about this one, then?
0:22:05 > 0:22:07We know that it's...
0:22:07 > 0:22:10A child's badge.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- Who is about nine years old. - About nine years old.
0:22:12 > 0:22:17OK. Obviously the parent would have that badge on behalf of their disabled child.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21- Yeah.- Does that mean they can use it without the child being in the car?
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- No.- No. So the child has to be present for them to be able to use that?- Yeah.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31There's nothing for it but to wait for the owner to return.
0:22:32 > 0:22:33Someone's coming.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39This is not looking good for the lady,
0:22:39 > 0:22:41because she doesn't have a child with her.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45Hello. I'm from Enfield Council.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47- Yes?- I'm just checking on the Blue Badges,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49just to make sure that the right people are using them.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Can I just have a quick look at the Blue Badge there, please?
0:22:56 > 0:22:58This lady's going to be in a bit of trouble here.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01She has returned to the car on her own.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04She's looking a little bit shell-shocked and very surprised.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07I'm hoping for her sake she has just dropped her child off somewhere,
0:23:07 > 0:23:09because then she's going to be in the clear.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12After claiming she'd just popped to the shops for five minutes,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15this lady fesses up that she's actually been to the dentist.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17But there's no sign of her child.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22It does seem like it is a real black-and-white case of,
0:23:22 > 0:23:26she's using her child's disabled badge to park
0:23:26 > 0:23:27for her own convenience.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29I suppose, when I say it like that,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32you all of a sudden think, you know, "Bang out of order."
0:23:34 > 0:23:37So, will Elaine let this lady off with a warning?
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Or is she heading for prosecution?
0:23:40 > 0:23:43We know that you've got a disabled daughter, OK?
0:23:43 > 0:23:46We won't be seizing the badge, yeah? But unfortunately,
0:23:46 > 0:23:49we will have to report you to Enfield Council.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Expect to receive a letter within the next month or two.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Ouch! That's going to hurt more than a root canal.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02If prosecuted, she faces a potential £1,000 fine
0:24:02 > 0:24:04and, on top of that, a criminal record.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08The ladies have just gone back to the office now to try and
0:24:08 > 0:24:12get warm and dry, but regardless of the weather,
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Blue Badge abuse is a problem that is not going away.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17and it's happening every single day.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28Fly-tipping - it looks horrible, costs a fortune to clear up,
0:24:28 > 0:24:31and last year, local authorities dealt with
0:24:31 > 0:24:33almost a million incidents.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Croydon Council get their fair share.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38But in December 2015,
0:24:38 > 0:24:42investigators Graham and Chris came across a case which...
0:24:42 > 0:24:43well, beggars belief.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47This is an alleyway at the back of some houses,
0:24:47 > 0:24:51in a road in the Croham area of Croydon.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54And this has been used on a number of occasions
0:24:54 > 0:24:56to commit serious fly-tips.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00These types of area are good because people don't want to be
0:25:00 > 0:25:02overlooked when they're committing those offences,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05they want to find somewhere quiet, discreet, out of the way.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10And there was one fly-tipping felon who thought he'd found
0:25:10 > 0:25:13the perfect spot to do his illegal dumping.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17This, to all intents and purposes, was exactly what he was looking for.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20There were three fly-tips that happened here, at this location,
0:25:20 > 0:25:23quick succession, in the space of three months.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Unbelievable.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29The race was now on to track the fly-tipper down and stop him
0:25:29 > 0:25:31before he caused any more damage.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34But as luck would have it, the lane wasn't quite as secluded
0:25:34 > 0:25:36as he had hoped.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40The fly-tips that occurred in this alleyway were,
0:25:40 > 0:25:44fortunately for us, seen by a member of the public's CCTV.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Not so clever after all, then.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51And when they saw the footage, the investigators were shocked.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54Up this alleyway,
0:25:54 > 0:25:57when he got to round about here, he would stop,
0:25:57 > 0:25:59release the back of the tipper truck.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04He would get back in the cab and then drive on down the alleyway,
0:26:04 > 0:26:07leaving all of the contents of the tipper behind him.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12And sometimes, well, he wouldn't even bother stopping.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16The vehicle drives past with the tipper up, the tailgate dropped,
0:26:16 > 0:26:20and about two tonnes of building waste,
0:26:20 > 0:26:23plasterboard and dust is dumped
0:26:23 > 0:26:25immediately in front of the camera.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28It's quite a dreadful piece of footage.
0:26:28 > 0:26:29You're telling me!
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Not to mention the danger it could pose to the families
0:26:32 > 0:26:34and children using this alleyway.
0:26:34 > 0:26:35What a doughnut!
0:26:35 > 0:26:37But guess what.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40That CCTV footage was pretty clear.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42Don't you just love technology?
0:26:42 > 0:26:45On each of those occasions, a resident's CCTV picture
0:26:45 > 0:26:48captured the registration of the vehicle involved.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53We then obviously made enquiries into the keeper
0:26:53 > 0:26:54of the vehicle.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57The vehicle was registered to a guy called George Smith.
0:26:57 > 0:27:02He'd been doing cash-in-hand house clearances and pocketing the money,
0:27:02 > 0:27:04instead of paying to dispose of it.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07But even having his truck seized wasn't going to stop him.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11That same weekend, a couple of days later,
0:27:11 > 0:27:15another vehicle was purchased by the same person,
0:27:15 > 0:27:17who then came back to the same place
0:27:17 > 0:27:19and committed another offence.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21This numpty really doesn't learn,
0:27:21 > 0:27:25and this time his new, almost identical truck was caught
0:27:25 > 0:27:27on another resident's CCTV.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31George Smith drove down in his new vehicle,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34got to this point, couldn't drive down the alleyway
0:27:34 > 0:27:37because of his own fly-tip, and had to do a three-point turn,
0:27:37 > 0:27:39directly underneath the camera.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41That was condemning evidence.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Gordon Bennett! You couldn't write this stuff.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47So, with this new evidence,
0:27:47 > 0:27:49Graham and Chris went to seize Smith's new truck.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55Whilst I was seizing that in the street, a couple of days later,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58George Smith approached us
0:27:58 > 0:28:02and acknowledged that he was the owner of the second vehicle.
0:28:02 > 0:28:03And it all then started to connect together.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08The council took this serial offender straight
0:28:08 > 0:28:10to the Magistrates' Court.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12Unbelievably, he pleaded not guilty.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16His defence, such as it was,
0:28:16 > 0:28:20was that someone else must have seen his vehicles and copied them,
0:28:20 > 0:28:25from numberplates to logos, to everything about the vehicle.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27That's what he said had occurred.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Seriously?! That wouldn't wash with me.
0:28:29 > 0:28:30But what about the judge?
0:28:31 > 0:28:35That answer wasn't believed by the judge who heard the trial,
0:28:35 > 0:28:37and he was found guilty.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment as a total.
0:28:41 > 0:28:42I should think so, too.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46It meant a decent spell behind bars for Mr Smith,
0:28:46 > 0:28:49just because he didn't want to fork out £200
0:28:49 > 0:28:51for disposing of waste properly.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54There's a lot of hard work, a lot of time and effort went into it,
0:28:54 > 0:28:57a lot of cost in investigating the actual offences as well.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01So when we got the final result, it was very satisfying.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04The members of the public are the real heroes in this.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08On top of that...I think it does send out a good message to people,
0:29:08 > 0:29:12that people, you know, if you commit that sort of serious offending,
0:29:12 > 0:29:15- you may well end up in prison. - Well, hopefully,
0:29:15 > 0:29:18the phantom dumper will think twice about doing this again,
0:29:18 > 0:29:21after a year at Her Majesty's pleasure.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28Illegal truck-tippers and dodgy van drivers beware,
0:29:28 > 0:29:33because today, in Cardiff, the police, HMRC, the Driver and Vehicle
0:29:33 > 0:29:37Standards Agency and the council have come together to carry out
0:29:37 > 0:29:39roadside checks.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43PC Ian Thomas is part of the police team looking for
0:29:43 > 0:29:45dodgy drivers and dangerous vehicles.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51While Dan Allen works for Cardiff's waste enforcement team.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53- Have you got a waste carry as well, sir?- Yes.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56Lovely. These are the ones I like, all the easy ones.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00It's his job to check that van drivers have legit paperwork
0:30:00 > 0:30:02to carry commercial waste.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05If they haven't, he could issue them a £300 fine.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08This isn't just bureaucracy gone mad.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10If you haven't paid for the correct licence,
0:30:10 > 0:30:13then you won't be able to dump the waste at a legit site.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17Which means, yep, it gets fly-tipped.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19No worries. Anyway, thanks for that.
0:30:19 > 0:30:20- OK?- Yeah, no worries. Thanks a lot.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25Dan has spotted a van that he wants to check over.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28This van's been pulled in here now. It's got a lot of scrap on it.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31He states that he has a full waste carrier licence,
0:30:31 > 0:30:33but the licence is spelt wrong.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36Well, he can't spell licence, but let's hope he's actually got one.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39You think you've got a waste carrier's licence?
0:30:39 > 0:30:41- I've got a waste carrying licence. - For ALL waste?- Yeah.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43That's what I need you to provide to me, and I also need you to
0:30:43 > 0:30:46provide your waste transfer notes, for when you've ticked that off.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49- Going to just give me a fine now, but, or what? - They don't often ask for a fine!
0:30:49 > 0:30:52But he might be about to get one anyway.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56He hasn't produced a licence or a transfer note for the waste
0:30:56 > 0:30:58he's carrying. So what's it to be?
0:30:58 > 0:31:00A warning or a fine?
0:31:00 > 0:31:03You've got seven days to provide us with those two documents
0:31:03 > 0:31:06- to Cardiff Council.- I just send them to you on e-mail or something?
0:31:06 > 0:31:09He'll need more than an e-mail to get out of this one.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12If you fail to do it, though, it's £300 fixed penalty for each one.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16And then, obviously, if you don't pay that fine, you'll be prosecuted for the offences.
0:31:16 > 0:31:17- Yeah, yeah.- All right?
0:31:17 > 0:31:20He's been given a week to find the right paperwork. If not,
0:31:20 > 0:31:23he'll be getting two £300 fines for each missing document.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28Wow! That's £600 in total.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32He says he does have a waste carrier's licence for all vehicle...all waste.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35So I've asked him to provide us with them things, but he said,
0:31:35 > 0:31:38"No, just prosecute me, take me to court, or just fine me."
0:31:38 > 0:31:39So I've given him the details,
0:31:39 > 0:31:42he probably won't get back in contact with us now.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44If he does, then lovely, we know that he's legit.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47If he doesn't, then it'll be £600 fixed penalties
0:31:47 > 0:31:50and then we'll prosecute him if he fails to pay.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53One-two, one-two. We're not allowed.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57No, you're not allowed without a permit, and it turns out
0:31:57 > 0:31:59it's not just scrap he's carrying.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01He's got his girlfriend with him as a passenger.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03You have got a misspelling on your van.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05They've missed out a C in Recycling.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09- The C's gone missing. - She's not wrong, you know.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12But this is a multi-agency operation,
0:32:12 > 0:32:15and now SHE'S come to the attention of HMRC.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17That's the taxman to you and me.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21We're not working, though. She said I'll get in trouble
0:32:21 > 0:32:24- with benefits because you're giving me a lift...- Get in here!
0:32:24 > 0:32:28You're not taking her name, no. You can arrest me, do what you want.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30You're not having my missus's name. Now go away!
0:32:33 > 0:32:35No! I'm telling you now, eh?
0:32:35 > 0:32:38Walk off. You're not getting... You haven't done nothing wrong.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41I'm not saying she's done anything wrong.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44No, you're not taking nothing. We're not even working, like.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46- We're not giving you names. - It's not about you working.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48You're mad, you're mad!
0:32:48 > 0:32:50Turns out she was just getting a lift.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54But it's not been a great afternoon for the van driver either way.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57We're hard-working people, like, you know what I mean?
0:32:57 > 0:32:59I want to go back doing scrap, and I can't go out and collect scrap
0:32:59 > 0:33:02until I have my licence sorted. I thought I'd go to the council today,
0:33:02 > 0:33:07and once I'd paid and done that with them, I can go scrapping and finish off my load today.
0:33:07 > 0:33:08It's been on there for, like, a month.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13- What's that?- Steak bake.- So why are you saying it like that for?
0:33:13 > 0:33:15Two.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17Well, you've got to keep your strength up.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20But while Dan and the waste enforcement officers have their break...
0:33:20 > 0:33:24- Keys in there.- ..a van has just come in that's caught the eye
0:33:24 > 0:33:27of PC Ian Thomas and the Vehicle Standards Agency.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30This vehicle, it does look slightly overweight.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33It's just currently being checked on the mobile weighing scales,
0:33:33 > 0:33:35and we're just currently checking the weight on the vehicle,
0:33:35 > 0:33:37with the driver and passenger in it as well,
0:33:37 > 0:33:39to get a true reflection of the weight.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42I hope you didn't have a big breakfast, lads!
0:33:42 > 0:33:43It all adds up!
0:33:47 > 0:33:51It's a tense wait, but are they overweight?
0:33:51 > 0:33:54On this occasion, the actual vehicle looked overweight,
0:33:54 > 0:33:55but on weighing the vehicle,
0:33:55 > 0:33:59the vehicle is within 200kg within weight.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01So he's good today.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03So, they passed the weight test,
0:34:03 > 0:34:05but there might be another problem.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08Subsequently, all the checks that we've completed, the driver
0:34:08 > 0:34:12doesn't appear to have the correct documentation for the vehicle.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17The police are running checks to see if the driver is insured.
0:34:17 > 0:34:18If it turns out he's not,
0:34:18 > 0:34:21he could be looking at a £300 fine
0:34:21 > 0:34:23and the van could even be seized.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28He'd better have his fingers crossed.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31I wouldn't want to have to explain that one to my boss.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33So, the vehicle ultimately will be seized.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36He's going to be reported for driving offences.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38It's a £300 on-the-spot fine,
0:34:38 > 0:34:41and the van has been confiscated.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45They're going to have a long walk back from where they've come from,
0:34:45 > 0:34:47Pontypridd. It's a fair distance.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50So I think they've got some grovelling to do to their boss
0:34:50 > 0:34:52as well, for losing their vehicle today.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55Oh, dear. I hope it's not a long walk home, boys.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00And their van is given a lift to the local pound.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03There will be fines or fees incurred
0:35:03 > 0:35:06for the release of the vehicle as well, and the storage of it.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09If it's not collected, eventually it will be crushed.
0:35:09 > 0:35:14It just shows - unlicensed fly-tippers and uninsured truckers,
0:35:14 > 0:35:16road tax dodgers and MOT avoiders -
0:35:16 > 0:35:19you get all sorts at a multi-agency vehicle check.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29Have you ever not paid your fare and got away with a train ride?
0:35:29 > 0:35:31Erm...
0:35:31 > 0:35:35I know it's shameful to admit, but I did actually, a long time ago.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37I don't like fare evaders,
0:35:37 > 0:35:40because they're causing the price of the tickets
0:35:40 > 0:35:42to go up for other people.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44We all have to pay our way, we all go to work,
0:35:44 > 0:35:46we should all pay the fare.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51I'm with the guys from London Midland today - these are the fare checkers.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55They're going to go up and down the train and find out if everybody's bought their tickets,
0:35:55 > 0:35:58as they should've done. Now, there's one, two, three...four officers going to do it.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02And they seem to think it's a very regular thing and they're going to catch people.
0:36:02 > 0:36:03So, let's see what happens.
0:36:06 > 0:36:11The London Midland rail franchise operates 1,300 services a day.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14But they lose around £8 million a year to fare dodgers.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16So it's definitely a big problem.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Train's approaching.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24Today, it's the job of Mike and Jelle to catch passengers
0:36:24 > 0:36:25who are travelling light.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30- I'm sticking with you, Mike.- OK.
0:36:34 > 0:36:35Tickets and passes, please.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37That's great, thank you very much.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39Today, Mike is in charge.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42He's armed, and he's not afraid to use it.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44You can put your pen away for now, can't you?
0:36:44 > 0:36:47All primed, ready to go. Pen in hand. LAUGHTER
0:36:48 > 0:36:51But it's not long before that pen is needed, though.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53You don't have a ticket?
0:36:57 > 0:36:59Where are you travelling to?
0:36:59 > 0:37:00To here, OK.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04Looks like this passenger is trying to hitch a ride for free.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07Not happy. She's now decided to get off the train, she's saying,
0:37:07 > 0:37:10"This is making my day terrible. I ran for the train..."
0:37:10 > 0:37:12Funny thing is, she's not out of breath.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14So they obviously realise that's not quite the case,
0:37:14 > 0:37:16and she's about to receive a penalty.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24We treat everyone the same when we catch them on the train without a ticket.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26We issue a penalty fare.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29As a result of the guys starting to question about the ticket,
0:37:29 > 0:37:31she said, "I'm going to get off here." This was literally one stop.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35She stepped off. What I don't think people realise, I certainly didn't,
0:37:35 > 0:37:37is, if you get off, they will get off with you.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40So she's going to be issued with a penalty notice now.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43And then, obviously, they'll get on the next train that arrives
0:37:43 > 0:37:45and continue their journey.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47I'm expecting her...she'll probably do the same thing.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50I don't think this is actually her stop. I think she just wanted to
0:37:50 > 0:37:53get away from the embarrassment of being caught without a ticket.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55So, she's not able to evade the inspectors
0:37:55 > 0:37:57and fixed penalty this time.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Now, though, we have to wait for the next train.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Is it quite a common thing for people to think,
0:38:04 > 0:38:07by jumping off the train, that you guys are going to back off?
0:38:07 > 0:38:10Absolutely, yeah. I mean, we get a lot of people saying,
0:38:10 > 0:38:14"Oh, it's only one stop. Why should I get a fine? I've gone one stop?"
0:38:14 > 0:38:17I'll tell you what, there's no escaping these guys.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21- You're like the A-Team, aren't you?- A little bit.- You track them down, you hunt them down.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24- I guess so, yeah.- You're like Liam Neeson, you know.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26- "We will find you, we will get you..."- Pretty much, yeah.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28- "..and we will give you a penalty." Yeah?- Yeah.
0:38:28 > 0:38:33- There might be a role for you in the movies.- Who knows? - What do you reckon?
0:38:33 > 0:38:35I didn't think that was a half-bad impression.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38But it's onto the next train, and I tell you what,
0:38:38 > 0:38:40there's certainly no dust on that fine book.
0:38:40 > 0:38:41Tickets and passes, please.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Why didn't you buy your ticket at Aston?
0:38:45 > 0:38:47OK, unfortunately, Aston is a penalty fare station,
0:38:47 > 0:38:49and you're on a penalty fare train at the moment.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53Oh, dear. I bet she'll be getting off at the next stop, too.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55We'll be stepping out at Sutton Coldfield with you.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02Really annoying, because everybody who seems to get caught for not having a ticket
0:39:02 > 0:39:05immediately gets off, which means you have to get off as well,
0:39:05 > 0:39:07while the ticket's issued,
0:39:07 > 0:39:08wait ten minutes, 15, whatever it is,
0:39:08 > 0:39:11for the next train, and then get back on.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14We've probably left Birmingham New Street about an hour ago,
0:39:14 > 0:39:16we've probably only gone about two stops.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23- It's like Groundhog Day, this, isn't it?- It is, isn't it? Constant.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25On, off, on, off.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28I don't know whether I'm coming or going.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30As soon as he realised she didn't have a ticket,
0:39:30 > 0:39:33her immediate response was, "I'm just about to get off."
0:39:33 > 0:39:36I get the impression a lot of people think, by doing that, the guard's going to say,
0:39:36 > 0:39:39"Oh, OK, don't worry, then." But obviously it's not the case.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42Not this time, and things are going from bad to worse
0:39:42 > 0:39:45for this fare-dodger, as, on checking her details,
0:39:45 > 0:39:48it seems she's had a brush with the inspectors before.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50You have had two penalty fares.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53I'm afraid the news doesn't get any better after that.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56Because the one penalty fare you gave incorrect details,
0:39:56 > 0:39:58and it came back as a false case and it's still open.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00You gave the wrong address.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03Naughty, naughty!
0:40:03 > 0:40:06If you get caught giving false information to these guys,
0:40:06 > 0:40:09it can go from being a simple fixed penalty
0:40:09 > 0:40:11to potentially being prosecuted.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14But will Mike go easy on this young lady?
0:40:14 > 0:40:16I'm afraid what we have to do now is we're going to have to
0:40:16 > 0:40:20conduct an interview under caution. So listen carefully, you're not under arrest.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23You don't have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do
0:40:23 > 0:40:26not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30- Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand?- Yes.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34At least the sunshine's come out.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36Well, not for her, it hasn't.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39Our prosecutions team will contact you to discuss how it goes.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41OK, that's it. You're free to go.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44So now she's facing prosecution,
0:40:44 > 0:40:48but this will hopefully be the last time she tries that trick.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50She's only about 18 or 19, isn't she?
0:40:50 > 0:40:52- 18.- 18, and this is her third offence for no ticket?
0:40:52 > 0:40:55- Yes.- So there's a very strong chance, really...
0:40:55 > 0:40:58It is quite strong if it's her third offence, that, at 18 years old,
0:40:58 > 0:41:00- she could end up with a criminal record.- It is a possibility, yeah.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02Cor, what a waste!
0:41:02 > 0:41:05Whilst we're here, it would be rude not to check everyone's tickets
0:41:05 > 0:41:08at the station. And these guys are on fire.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12So, date and time, Sutton Coldfield, you've been found at the station without a ticket today.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16- Yeah.- There's £20 now outstanding. Would you like to pay that today or within 21 days?
0:41:16 > 0:41:19- 21 days.- Cool. Just make sure you get a ticket before you get on the train in future.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22Or keep it on you until you've left the station.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24- No problem, darling.- Thank you very much. Thank you.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27And this guy's partner has been caught short as well.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30That's a double whammy. 40 quid!
0:41:31 > 0:41:33Tell me the honest truth, don't you interrupt me...
0:41:33 > 0:41:35- I won't.- Why haven't you got a ticket?
0:41:35 > 0:41:38- I left it on the train.- Did you seriously? That's what he said.
0:41:38 > 0:41:42Yeah, I seriously left it on the train. I've even got the change. Hang on.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45The right change for the ticket. I thought you said YOU bought the ticket!
0:41:45 > 0:41:47- Well, we both...- Out of my money.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51Hang on a second. Hang on a second. Back there he said, "I bought the ticket."
0:41:51 > 0:41:54This fella's a chum, you know. He is...
0:41:54 > 0:41:56Ugh, no, don't kiss me!
0:41:56 > 0:41:59I'm going to let you go. Cheers.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02Did they buy a ticket? Yes, Dom. Whoa!
0:42:04 > 0:42:06Yeah, hang on a second.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10He kissed me head!
0:42:11 > 0:42:13CHUCKLING
0:42:13 > 0:42:16Time to head back to Birmingham, I think.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19And at least someone on this journey is being a good boy.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21Give me a paw, give me a paw.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24Show me your ticket. OK, you've got a ticket, there you go.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26Well-behaved, eh? Well-behaved.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33I tell you what, we've just come from... Well, we didn't even get as far as Lichfield,
0:42:33 > 0:42:37because we went in one direction and there was so many people avoiding the tickets,
0:42:37 > 0:42:40we had to keep getting off the train, so we actually got as far as
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Sutton Coldfield, crossed over the platform, came back again,
0:42:42 > 0:42:45and there were people who were even on that platform with us,
0:42:45 > 0:42:48surrounded by ticket inspectors, who still got on the train
0:42:48 > 0:42:50without a ticket and thought it was all right.
0:42:50 > 0:42:55It shocked me just how many people will take it for granted,
0:42:55 > 0:42:58"I'm not going to buy a ticket and I'll get away with it,
0:42:58 > 0:43:00"and if I don't, I'm going to argue it tooth and nail."
0:43:00 > 0:43:02It's jaw-dropping.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05I tell you what, being out with
0:43:05 > 0:43:08Britain's enforcement officers is a real eye-opener.
0:43:08 > 0:43:11Join us next time for more Dom On The Spot.