0:00:03 > 0:00:07Never before have so many on the spot fines been issued in Britain.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10You're about to fine me. I don't have any money for that.
0:00:10 > 0:00:11Come here.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14We're going to be following the men and women who hand out
0:00:14 > 0:00:17over ?30 million worth of tickets every month.
0:00:18 > 0:00:19That gets my goat.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21My jaw is dropping.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23For behaviour that's downright dangerous...
0:00:25 > 0:00:27..simply selfish...
0:00:27 > 0:00:29It's been defrosted a while, that, hasn't it?
0:00:29 > 0:00:32..or just, well, plain silly.
0:00:32 > 0:00:33Get off your phone!
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Doughnut.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38We'll be revealing the cost of their bad behaviour...
0:00:38 > 0:00:42How much is the fine on this one? ?100 for no seat belt. It's expensive. I know, yeah.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44..and how this could affect you.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46I'm in the middle of a job. I'm working. I'm a builder.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48The police are on it...
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Open...your mouth now!
0:00:50 > 0:00:52..the parking wardens are on it...
0:00:52 > 0:00:55So once it's printed, that's it. There's no point arguing the point.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56..and I'm on it...
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Put your seat belt on!
0:00:58 > 0:00:59Cheeky monkeys.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02I'm Dom Littlewood and I'm On The Spot.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07This time, in Cardiff, it's a fag butt bonanza.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10And people do it blatantly, right in front of you...
0:01:10 > 0:01:12I've got one. Like somebody obviously just has.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Someone's in trouble.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Belt up or pay up.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Yep, that's the message from the traffic police.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21Your internal organs will carry on going...
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Yeah. So, if you're bouncing backwards and forwards
0:01:24 > 0:01:26because you've not got a seat belt on,
0:01:26 > 0:01:27you're going to bleed to death.
0:01:27 > 0:01:32And it's a case of, "Wild? They're absolutely furious!" down in Devon.
0:01:32 > 0:01:37You can't shoot them, you can't hang them, you can't do anything about it, can you?
0:01:37 > 0:01:39You know, human rights and all that jazz.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43The number of smokers in the UK is falling,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47but over 1,200 tonnes of cigarette butts
0:01:47 > 0:01:51are still ending up on our streets every single year.
0:01:51 > 0:01:5525% of smokers don't even think it's classed as littering
0:01:55 > 0:01:58to flick your fag butt on the ground.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01But perhaps an ?80 fine might make them think differently.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05What do you think of folk who throw fag butts in public places?
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Disgusting. Oh. How much should they be fined?
0:02:08 > 0:02:12?90,000. No, in reality, ?500.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15What, for dropping a cigarette butt? Yeah.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17People just dump stuff on the street
0:02:17 > 0:02:19and expect the council to take it away,
0:02:19 > 0:02:22which, of course, affects our council tax,
0:02:22 > 0:02:24because somebody's got to pay for it.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Just looking around wherever you are, wherever you are in the world,
0:02:27 > 0:02:29there's always cigarette ends on the floor.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32So, if people were fined for doing it, then, yeah, I think it would be a good thing.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34Well, being a smoker, unfortunately,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37I'm one of them people that, when I have a cigarette, I throw the butt,
0:02:37 > 0:02:39but I always throw the butt in the roadway
0:02:39 > 0:02:40because that keeps the bloke employed
0:02:40 > 0:02:42who comes and sweeps the roads, obviously.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Well, the fact is, mate, fag butts are litter.
0:02:47 > 0:02:52Councils all over the UK are fighting the scourge of cigarette butts.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54The capital of Wales is no different,
0:02:54 > 0:02:56and it's an expensive battle.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Cardiff Council spend over ?5 million a year
0:03:00 > 0:03:03clearing up litter from their streets.
0:03:03 > 0:03:04And today I'm working with
0:03:04 > 0:03:06waste enforcement officers Steph and Lauren,
0:03:06 > 0:03:08who are going to try and help put a stop to that.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16This pair can sniff out a discarded dog end from 1,000 paces,
0:03:16 > 0:03:20and can dish out ?80 fines to anyone they catch in the act.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24You dropped your gloves.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Oh. Cheers. Thanks.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Hang on - fixed penalty.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32Right, fixed penalty, come on!
0:03:32 > 0:03:34But forget the odd dropped glove,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37these ladies are really on the lookout for butts.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39Fag butts, obviously.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43There's a guy down here smoking, in the black.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Fag ends account for pretty much half of street litter,
0:03:47 > 0:03:51with around 200 million chucked away each day.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53Crikey, that's a lot of butts!
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Fag butt alert! And they've only been on patrol for five minutes.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02It's on the floor.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04Let's see what this guy has to say for himself.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07Was just crossing the road with the girls, we turned round,
0:04:07 > 0:04:09and, lo and behold, there was a guy standing there,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12watching us all across the road. Bang! Cigarette on the floor.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14So, they've now gone into the shop to try and get him out
0:04:14 > 0:04:16to have a chat with him.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18So, what was odd about it was, it was right in front of them.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22They've got "Waste Enforcement Officers" all over their jackets,
0:04:22 > 0:04:23so, no excuse, bang to rights.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29Hiya. All right?
0:04:29 > 0:04:31It's just about the cigarette that you dropped. OK.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34Yeah, obviously, that's an offence of littering. Right. OK?
0:04:34 > 0:04:37As you can see, the litter bin has got ashtrays on the top. OK.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39So, if you could use them in the future.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43So, let's review the evidence.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Man smoking. Man throws fag end on the floor.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51It's an ?80 fixed penalty, discharges your liability.
0:04:51 > 0:04:52You don't have to pay it.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54If you don't pay it, it does go to court.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56If you pay it, it doesn't go to court. All right?
0:04:56 > 0:04:59It's a bit like a speeding fine. All right.
0:04:59 > 0:05:00So, first fine of the day,
0:05:00 > 0:05:02and they've only been here five minutes.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Right. You realise now you've been fined 80 quid for that?
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Yeah, but that's ridiculous.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12I don't know. It's a lot of money, isn't it? It is. So, in future,
0:05:12 > 0:05:14is it going to stop you throwing your cigarettes on the floor?
0:05:14 > 0:05:16It is. OK.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18I suppose, in some ways, it's a painful lesson.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Exactly. Spread the message out there, tell people,
0:05:20 > 0:05:23don't throw your fag butts down because there's a couple of ladies
0:05:23 > 0:05:26out here who are going to jump on you when it happens, you know? I know.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Or give up smoking. Cheaper altogether! Ha-ha!
0:05:29 > 0:05:31Well, fair play to him. He took it on the chin
0:05:31 > 0:05:33and I reckon he's learned his lesson.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Someone like him would probably throw litter in the bin...
0:05:36 > 0:05:38Yeah. But cigarette butts, he thinks it's all right.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40Most people will throw litter in the bin.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43It's frowned upon, but everyone throws cigarette on the floor,
0:05:43 > 0:05:44and that's why people think it's normal.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46It's changing their behaviours.
0:05:46 > 0:05:47It's getting the message out there. Yeah.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49And if anyone can get the message out there,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52it's litter detectives extraordinaire, Steph and Lauren.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57Your job - are you quite passionate about it, or is it just a job?
0:05:57 > 0:05:59I'm... I don't like littering.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01Never have, even when I was younger.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Don't like it at all.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05I don't like to see dirty places.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08So, yeah, I think I am quite passionate about it.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Where's she gone?
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Lauren's just spotted this guy dropping his fag butt
0:06:12 > 0:06:14on the floor right behind us.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Has she got eyes on the back of her head?
0:06:16 > 0:06:18I tell you what, she misses nothing. She is...
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Oh! Out comes the fine pad.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22..if you don't mention, when questioned,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24something that you later rely on in court.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Anything you do say will be given in evidence.
0:06:27 > 0:06:28Do you understand? Yes.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32All of a sudden, Lauren there was gone like a ferret.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35She spotted this guy, who literally walked past.
0:06:35 > 0:06:36He's gone - pff! - with his cigarette butt.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40She doesn't miss a trick and, lo and behold, he is getting an ?80 fine,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43by the looks of it. And I think he was on his way into church.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46The confession box, I hope.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48Well, praying won't do much good,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51because this guy just might be on the receiving end of the second fine
0:06:51 > 0:06:53these ladies have dished out in 15 minutes.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56You've done it right in front of them,
0:06:56 > 0:06:58which is, when you think about it, bad,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00but then you were saying you didn't even realise it was an offence.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02No. So, what do you think would be fair?
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Maybe a warning for the first occasion, and that. OK.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08You know what I mean? Just the scare of the ?80 penalty would be enough, I think. Yeah.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10It is going to change your attitude to...?
0:07:10 > 0:07:12Yeah. Thanks for talking to us.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14Appreciate it. I'm sorry about the money.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18It's bonkers how many people don't see cigarette butts as littering,
0:07:18 > 0:07:24but your nicotine-filled fag end takes up to 12 years to degrade.
0:07:24 > 0:07:25Yuck. It's obvious, but for some reason,
0:07:25 > 0:07:29people just tend to be that little bit ignorant about it, don't they?
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Yeah. Which is a bit of a sad thing, isn't it? You know? Oh, well.
0:07:33 > 0:07:34Onwards and upwards.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Cor, it's a lot warmer this side, isn't it?
0:07:40 > 0:07:41But there's no rest for the wicked.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43Especially not these two.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Sometimes you can literally just stand here, watch the high street,
0:07:47 > 0:07:50and people do it blatantly, right in front of you... I've got one.
0:07:50 > 0:07:51Like somebody obviously just has.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55OK. Someone's in trouble.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59I can't believe it. Not another one!
0:07:59 > 0:08:02That cigarette that you threw on the floor.
0:08:02 > 0:08:03Just need to speak to you about this.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Obviously, it's an offence of littering. Are you aware of that?
0:08:06 > 0:08:09No. I didn't know that. No? Are you going to give me a fine?
0:08:09 > 0:08:11It's going to be an ?80 fixed penalty notice.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Yeah. So, do you know that is littering, the cigarettes, no?
0:08:13 > 0:08:15No, I didn't. There's nowhere else to put them, is there?
0:08:15 > 0:08:18Nowhere to put it? There's a bin over there.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22I ain't going to stay here. You're writing it down. Just give me a ticket.
0:08:22 > 0:08:23Just try and use a bin next time,
0:08:23 > 0:08:25because it costs a lot of money to pick it up, all right?
0:08:25 > 0:08:27Yeah. All right, sorry about that. Have a nice day.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32That's three lots of ?80 up in smoke
0:08:32 > 0:08:35and we've only been here 45 minutes.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38How do you feel? Like, I would have picked it up on the floor,
0:08:38 > 0:08:40just then, and put it in the bin if the woman asked me.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43I didn't know. I didn't think of it. I wouldn't think of it like that.
0:08:43 > 0:08:44Now, I would put it in the bin.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47If you had other rubbish, say like that bottle of drink there...
0:08:47 > 0:08:49I'd put it in the bin, yeah. I would.
0:08:49 > 0:08:50So, that's really annoyed you.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Will it stop you doing it again, though, in the future? Yeah, of course.
0:08:53 > 0:08:54I do feel sorry for you.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Obviously, no-one wants to see anyone getting a fine.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59It's 80 quid, isn't it? But for the sake of a fag...
0:08:59 > 0:09:01It was an expensive fag, wasn't it?
0:09:01 > 0:09:03It was.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05This bunch seem to have learned their lesson.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08So, hopefully, a small dent in the 120 tonnes of fag ends
0:09:08 > 0:09:10that get chucked every day.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14Stop it, people, or this pair will be after you.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18The girls' shift is over. They've finished for the day.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20They've given out quite a few tickets today.
0:09:20 > 0:09:21Sadly all for the same thing.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23People throwing cigarette butts on the floor.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25It's an ?80 fine.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28The message is getting through, but it's a painful one.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34In the seaside town of Sidmouth in Devon,
0:09:34 > 0:09:38there's been a wave of anti-social behaviour.
0:09:38 > 0:09:43Theft, harassment, and grievous bodily harm.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Criminals hanging around in gangs, waiting to strike.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53Seagulls have become a menace in our towns and cities
0:09:53 > 0:09:57as they patrol the skies looking for food.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00And, occasionally, local people have been caught in the crossfire.
0:10:01 > 0:10:02But feed the gulls here,
0:10:02 > 0:10:05and you could be in for a hefty fine.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Former Exmouth town councillor Ian Stewart
0:10:08 > 0:10:11was visiting Sidmouth with his wife and two grandsons
0:10:11 > 0:10:14when they decided to stop and grab a sandwich.
0:10:16 > 0:10:21My grandson and I were sitting there, and I got the crab sandwich,
0:10:21 > 0:10:23and was just about to take a bite out of it,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28and I remember feeling and hearing a thud.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32And then this flash of white.
0:10:33 > 0:10:38And Henry looked and said, "Why have you got blood on your arm, Papa?"
0:10:38 > 0:10:39It was warm, I'd got a T-shirt on,
0:10:39 > 0:10:44and I looked down, sure enough, there was the blood.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47Suddenly, it all clicked into place,
0:10:47 > 0:10:49that I'd been attacked.
0:10:52 > 0:10:53I'd been attacked by a gull.
0:10:56 > 0:11:03It looked a lot worse than it was, but, given where it was, you know,
0:11:03 > 0:11:05you eat through there...
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Thank God it was me and not Henry.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13The mugging from above left Ian dazed and confused,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16but he was lucky to get away relatively unscathed.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21And Sidmouth's local businesses are also suffering
0:11:21 > 0:11:23the wrath of these flying foragers.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Seagulls are being a complete pain, to be honest.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28What I call rats in the sky.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Such a nuisance, they are taking food off the customers, off the plates.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34They are also coming around eating the ice creams.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36They have got this certain kind of technique,
0:11:36 > 0:11:37how they can fly behind customers,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40and they sort of swoop in one, kind of, motion,
0:11:40 > 0:11:42take the food and fly away at the same time.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49But local town councillor Simon Pollentine
0:11:49 > 0:11:52thinks the gulls are victims of bad press.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54It's become higher profile.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57There's been incidences of David Cameron
0:11:57 > 0:12:00having his chips nicked in Cornwall, somewhere.
0:12:00 > 0:12:01And it's not just chips.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05This cheeky chappie was seen at a bakery near Newcastle
0:12:05 > 0:12:07helping himself to a packet of crisps.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Hang on, he hasn't paid for those!
0:12:10 > 0:12:12I don't think seagulls attack people.
0:12:12 > 0:12:13I think what we have here is...
0:12:15 > 0:12:18..a situation where the gulls are in the wrong place.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20They should be out on the cliffs, nesting
0:12:20 > 0:12:25and there is a very ready source of food for them here.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27I think this is purely food driven.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32So, perhaps is not the birds' fault.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35After all, they need to eat, too.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38And some people have even encouraged the birds by feeding them.
0:12:39 > 0:12:40We have told some people.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43We have actually gone and told them explaining to them
0:12:43 > 0:12:45that there is a problem, please don't feed them.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47Most of them laugh it away, or say,
0:12:47 > 0:12:49"Look, we're here on holiday, we like to feed the seagulls."
0:12:49 > 0:12:51I don't think people really understand
0:12:51 > 0:12:54what they are doing, the damage they are doing in the seafronts.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59It's led the council to introduce new rules.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Those caught feeding a seagull here
0:13:02 > 0:13:05could be hit with an ?80 on the spot fine.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09And the new penalties seem to be welcomed by the locals.
0:13:09 > 0:13:10I have personal experience.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13My grandson came to visit me and burst into tears
0:13:13 > 0:13:17when a seagull swooped down and ate his ice cream.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19You can't shoot them, you can't hang them,
0:13:19 > 0:13:21you can't do anything about it, can you?
0:13:21 > 0:13:23You know, human rights and all that jazz.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Er, I don't think we need to go that far.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28But what about the fine?
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Is ?80 enough to stop people feeding them?
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Well, why don't you make it a round hundred, for goodness' sake?
0:13:34 > 0:13:35You know, ?80.
0:13:35 > 0:13:36You know? ?100 at least.
0:13:38 > 0:13:39Possibly ?200.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41?200?!
0:13:41 > 0:13:44Gordon Bennett! You wouldn't have any money left for an ice cream.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47My view is that, now they have got the signs up,
0:13:47 > 0:13:52and the bylaw is in place, if they had a season's blitz on it,
0:13:52 > 0:13:57that would send a very good message that we've introduced this,
0:13:57 > 0:14:01and we're actually going to follow it up, and we will fine you.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05But the locals here want to call a truce.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09They're hoping to find a way to live alongside their feathered friends.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12I think seagulls, gulls generally, are amazing.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17They are all here on the shoreline, flying up and dropping mussels,
0:14:17 > 0:14:22and I say, "Great, that's what you should be doing."
0:14:23 > 0:14:24But they don't listen.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30Until the time comes when we can live together in harmony...
0:14:33 > 0:14:36..when you're at the seaside, keep an eye on your lunch,
0:14:36 > 0:14:38or you could be going home hungry.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Today, I'm on traffic patrol with Greater Manchester Police,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52who are always on the lookout for dangerous drivers.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54But nowadays, if you are caught
0:14:54 > 0:14:56using your mobile phone when driving,
0:14:56 > 0:15:00or speeding, some bigger than ever fines might be heading your way.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04I always enjoy my trips up north,
0:15:04 > 0:15:07and especially when I get the chance to drop into Manchester,
0:15:07 > 0:15:09home to two fantastic football teams.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Well, three if you count Man City.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14I'm here on patrol with PC Matt Picton
0:15:14 > 0:15:17and though the city is set to be the fastest-growing in the north,
0:15:17 > 0:15:20it doesn't look like we're in a hurry to go anywhere today.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22What are we doing here, then, Matt?
0:15:22 > 0:15:25OK, it's got to, sort of, half past four,
0:15:25 > 0:15:28so, obviously, the roads are getting busy now,
0:15:28 > 0:15:33so the chances of us getting to places anywhere quickly
0:15:33 > 0:15:35are pretty slim, to be fair.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38So, rather than us sitting in standing traffic...
0:15:40 > 0:15:43..we'll plot up on a major arterial route.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47So, the M6O2 is in that direction...
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Yeah. Manchester United and the city is in that direction.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52And we'll just monitor traffic.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Coming through, passing by.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59So, the usual - mobile phones, seat belts.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Seat belts?! Do people still not wear them?
0:16:01 > 0:16:04I can't believe that.
0:16:04 > 0:16:05To promote any good driving...
0:16:05 > 0:16:08And there's a gentleman just gone past with no seat belt on.
0:16:08 > 0:16:09God, you've got eagle eyes.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11I stand very much corrected.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Although, it doesn't make it any easier to understand.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16The law was brought in in '83.
0:16:16 > 0:16:1834 years ago.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20Why would you not want to wear your seat belt?
0:16:20 > 0:16:23It doesn't really make sense, does it? No. It's madness, to me.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27If you've not got your seat belt on and you are involved in a collision,
0:16:27 > 0:16:30and you travel forwards, your internal organs will carry on going.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32So, if you are bouncing backwards and forwards
0:16:32 > 0:16:34because you've not got a seat belt on,
0:16:34 > 0:16:36you're going to get massive trauma in your internal organs,
0:16:36 > 0:16:38and potentially bleed to death.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42It's not like it interferes with your driving, or anything, these days.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45Surely the car's bleeping at him all the time.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Sometimes they fasten them behind them,
0:16:47 > 0:16:49but most advanced warning systems in cars,
0:16:49 > 0:16:53they don't bleep for any longer than, sort of, 30 seconds.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Obviously, he's quickly putting his seat belt on, isn't he?
0:16:59 > 0:17:00He's just put it on now, hasn't he?
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Which is pretty pointless when we've already seen him.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07Matt's right. I'd definitely say that not only has that horse already bolted,
0:17:07 > 0:17:10it's done a few laps of the Grand National, too.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13I'm guessing this driver must have a very good excuse
0:17:13 > 0:17:14why he's refused to belt up.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Do you know why I've stopped you? No. Not wearing a seat belt?
0:17:17 > 0:17:19Yeah. Why do you not wear your seat belt?
0:17:19 > 0:17:20Come on. Honestly, I don't know.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23It's not like it interferes with your driving or anything, is it?
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Right, OK. Is it your car? Yeah. Is it registered and insured to you?
0:17:26 > 0:17:30Yeah. Right, OK. Do you have your licence or anything with you?
0:17:30 > 0:17:32Good to hear he's instantly admitted he did it.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Come and take a seat in the car. Yeah. On that side, mate, yeah.
0:17:36 > 0:17:3934 years ago, 1983,
0:17:39 > 0:17:42is when it became an offence not to wear your seat belt
0:17:42 > 0:17:43when driving a car.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47This guy here didn't put it on.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49Now, no doubt, his car was either bleeping constantly,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52telling him to put it on, or he's put it behind him,
0:17:52 > 0:17:53so he's not wearing it.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Why would you actually not want to wear a seat belt?
0:17:56 > 0:17:58There's not really a justifiable reason.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01I mean, you know, it's for your own safety! It's not uncomfortable.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04I'll see if I can have a chat with him in a minute and find out why,
0:18:04 > 0:18:07because this probably just cost him 100 quid.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09I don't think it's endorsable but, you know,
0:18:09 > 0:18:11I can't work out the logic behind it.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15So, looking at the evidence, this seems pretty clear.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17Not only did eagle-eyed Matt
0:18:17 > 0:18:19see this driver not wearing his seat belt,
0:18:19 > 0:18:21he's gone and admitted it, too.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25So, now he's looking down the barrel of a possible ?100 fine.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29But will the fact he fessed up so quickly work in his favour?
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Will Matt let him off with just a warning?
0:18:32 > 0:18:35The offence for which you have been stopped and going to be reported for
0:18:35 > 0:18:38today, is failing to wear a seat belt. We know that, it's OK.
0:18:38 > 0:18:39You do not have to say anything.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41It may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned
0:18:41 > 0:18:43something which you later rely on in court.
0:18:43 > 0:18:44Anything you do say may be given in evidence.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47We've cautioned you, but we can deal with it by means of a fixed penalty.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51Nope. He's hitting him hard where it hurts - in the wallet. ?100. Ouch!
0:18:51 > 0:18:54OK, my friend. Right, traffic offence report.
0:18:54 > 0:18:55It is a straightforward fine.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58There's no points on your driving licence for this offence,
0:18:58 > 0:19:00it's just a straightforward fine.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03You don't pay it now, we send a letter to your home address.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05The fact he's not getting any points on his licence
0:19:05 > 0:19:08is perhaps the only good news for him today.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10Let's see what he's got to say for himself.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12You didn't have your seat belt on, did you? No.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14I've got to be honest, I can't see the logic behind that.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17I don't know. I never really wear it, to be honest.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19You just don't feel comfy when you've got it on.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21That's the best excuse I can give you.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24It ain't a good one, is it? In all fairness, is it?
0:19:24 > 0:19:26I know, yeah. But... I don't know.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29You can probably afford 100 quid, but it ain't nice, is it? No, it's not nice.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32How do you feel about the officer there and what he has just done?
0:19:32 > 0:19:34To be fair, he was the nicest officer I've had pull me,
0:19:34 > 0:19:37you know what I mean? Yeah. Dead polite, no problems. Yeah.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40So long as you state that is legal, he's got no issues, has he?
0:19:40 > 0:19:42Yeah. And the fact that you've received this penalty of 100 quid,
0:19:42 > 0:19:44you've got no chip on your shoulder about it?
0:19:44 > 0:19:47No, nothing. He's caught me, hasn't he? No seat belt.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50He's given me a fine. Simples. Are you going to change your ways?
0:19:50 > 0:19:53I'd like to say, yeah, but probably not.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55That's your beer money for a weekend, isn't it?
0:19:55 > 0:19:58Yeah. You know? You could have taken the missus out for a nice...
0:19:58 > 0:20:00Don't tell her that! Well, she'll be watching this.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03You could have had a nice night out on Seb here,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06but, instead, he spent his money on not wearing seat belts.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Right, you're going to be in trouble now. Nice talking to you.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12I hope this chap isn't getting too much of an ear-bashing right now
0:20:12 > 0:20:15and it's good he's able to have a laugh about it,
0:20:15 > 0:20:17but there is a very serious reason
0:20:17 > 0:20:20why we should all be clunk-clicking on every single trip.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Since the scrapping of the paper tax disc,
0:20:24 > 0:20:28car clamping has gone up to over 9,000 vehicles a month,
0:20:28 > 0:20:30about 110,000 a year.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34So unless you want one of these little beauties, tax your car.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36It's not rocket science.
0:20:36 > 0:20:41Citizens have a duty to tax their car, so if you haven't done that,
0:20:41 > 0:20:43you're not really playing the game.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47Anybody who hasn't got their road tax really shouldn't be on the road.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50If they can't afford the road tax, don't go on the road.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Clamping, if they don't pay, I think that's fair enough.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58You should have a fine for that instead of clamps.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00Clamp is not nice.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04In the two and a half years since they got rid of paper tax discs,
0:21:04 > 0:21:06the amount of cars clamped has almost doubled
0:21:06 > 0:21:08because the simple fact is,
0:21:08 > 0:21:10if you don't tax your car,
0:21:10 > 0:21:12you're either going to get a hefty fine,
0:21:12 > 0:21:13or lose it completely.
0:21:14 > 0:21:15In South Wales,
0:21:15 > 0:21:19it's Andrew Smith's job to ensure that untaxed vehicles are clamped...
0:21:21 > 0:21:23..and the owners fined.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Normally what will happen is you'll get designated
0:21:33 > 0:21:38a postcode area to be in and you'll travel to that area.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42And, basically, do as much of that area as possible.
0:21:42 > 0:21:47And today, Andrew's roaming the streets of Cardiff using his ANPR,
0:21:47 > 0:21:50or automatic number plate recognition cameras.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54I have four cameras, two on the front, two on the back.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58And basically all it's doing is reading the number plates,
0:21:58 > 0:22:00so, as we're driving by,
0:22:00 > 0:22:03it's scanning each vehicle and each number plate and we have, obviously,
0:22:03 > 0:22:07a computer in the back of the van that holds the database.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13And if your vehicle is one of the half a million without road tax,
0:22:13 > 0:22:14look out!
0:22:14 > 0:22:16COMPUTER: Attention.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18He's only been out for ten minutes.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20Could Andrew have his first clamp of the day?
0:22:20 > 0:22:21A lot of getting in and out.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27This one comes back as being on a Sorn.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30So what a Sorn is is a Statutory Off Road Notice.
0:22:30 > 0:22:31What they're actually telling the DVLA
0:22:31 > 0:22:33is that they're not going to be using the car
0:22:33 > 0:22:36and they're keeping it off the road.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38So, with that, they wouldn't necessarily have to have
0:22:38 > 0:22:40the vehicle taxed,
0:22:40 > 0:22:44but obviously we've come across it and it's on the public highway.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48So the owner of this vehicle claims they don't have to pay car tax
0:22:48 > 0:22:51because the car isn't kept on a public road.
0:22:51 > 0:22:56But you don't need any special technology to see that it most certainly is.
0:22:56 > 0:22:57So, clamp out...
0:22:58 > 0:23:00..assume the position...
0:23:02 > 0:23:05And say hello to a ?100 fine.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12But - hold your horses - it looks like the owner's here.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Now, don't worry, mate. The car's not going anywhere.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17You did have time to put your trousers on.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21Right, Andrew, time to explain the very complex term "off road."
0:23:21 > 0:23:25A Statutory Off Road Notice is just that.
0:23:25 > 0:23:26It's an off road notice.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29What you doing is you're keeping it on the public highway.
0:23:29 > 0:23:30No, he still doesn't get it.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34What you're doing is you're parking it on the public highway.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37You've told the DVLA that you're keeping it off road, but you're not.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41It's off the road. Yeah, but it's on the public highway.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43OK, try one more time, Andrew.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46To keep a vehicle on the public highway, it has to be taxed,
0:23:46 > 0:23:50so if you tax the vehicle, OK, there would be fines to pay with that.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Once all of those are paid, the clamp can come off.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57Once the clamp's off, OK, you're then given 24 hours to move the vehicle.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01It turns out it's his girlfriend's car, but whoever it belongs to,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04they're still going to be at least ?100 out of pocket.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09Yeah, he was under the impression that he was doing the right thing
0:24:09 > 0:24:10in having the vehicle on the Sorn.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14Obviously, he's not, because it's on the public highway.
0:24:14 > 0:24:20If he'd have had it on his driveway or in the parking for the flats,
0:24:20 > 0:24:23then, yeah, he would have been within his rights.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Well, the owner did pay the fine and the car tax,
0:24:28 > 0:24:31so the clamp was removed.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35That's the first of the day and, I dare say,
0:24:35 > 0:24:37it won't be the last one of the day.
0:24:37 > 0:24:42Non-payment of road tax costs the UK economy around ?80 million a year,
0:24:42 > 0:24:46money that could be spent keeping the roads up to scratch.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49So if your car's on the road, you need to pay for it.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52COMPUTER: Attention. And someone's sat in it.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56I'm not sure that the driver of this car was expecting Andrew to appear.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Hiya, is this your vehicle?
0:24:59 > 0:25:02It's coming back on the DVLA database as being untaxed.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06Are you sure, definitely sure that it's come out every month?
0:25:06 > 0:25:08The driver claims that she has a direct debit set up
0:25:08 > 0:25:10to pay her car tax.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14I'll just make sure that it's the right registration number that's come up.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18So, Andrew will have to double-check before he can take any action,
0:25:18 > 0:25:19but it's not good news.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22No, it's still coming back as being untaxed.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26So, a car parked on the side of the road doesn't have current road tax.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30Is it a clamp, or will Andrew take pity on her?
0:25:31 > 0:25:34Basically, what I'm going to have to do is immobilise the vehicle.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38Maybe not. The driver says she can't get home if her car's clamped.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41No kidding. But wants to put it on her mum's driveway.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44I can't... I can't allow you to move the vehicle.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Basically, I'm not supposed to, all right?
0:25:46 > 0:25:49What's supposed to happen is the clamp's supposed to go on now.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53Because I'm not supposed to allow you to drive the vehicle because according to the database,
0:25:53 > 0:25:56according to all the information I'm getting,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58is that your vehicle comes back as being untaxed.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00I have to put the clamp on.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03She says she's embarrassed at being clamped and, to be fair,
0:26:03 > 0:26:05I think I would be too.
0:26:06 > 0:26:11I understand that. I understand that it's a bit of an embarrassment,
0:26:11 > 0:26:12but what I'm telling you
0:26:12 > 0:26:15is that I'm not allowed to allow you to move the vehicle.
0:26:17 > 0:26:18I have to stick the clamp on.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22It's then up to her to ring the DVLA
0:26:22 > 0:26:26and they can sort it out between themselves.
0:26:30 > 0:26:31Well, she tried,
0:26:31 > 0:26:34but it looks like it's game over for this unhappy driver
0:26:34 > 0:26:38who, despite her pleas, couldn't change Andrew's mind.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Obviously, you've got to try and be fair across the board,
0:26:41 > 0:26:44so those people that aren't there to fight their corner,
0:26:44 > 0:26:48you can't turn around for the people that are there to say,
0:26:48 > 0:26:50"Well, OK, you are here."
0:26:50 > 0:26:54Well, the driver was there, but she's also got a ?100 fine.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59That's two clamps so far
0:26:59 > 0:27:01and I've got a feeling Andrew might be going back
0:27:01 > 0:27:04to the depot with an empty van today.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12We have five clamps, one ticket, and one insurance.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17It's not bad for a couple of hours, that isn't.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21He's a nice fellow, Andrew, but don't pay for car tax...
0:27:21 > 0:27:22COMPUTER: Attention.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26..and he might just appear, armed with his trusty clamps.
0:27:37 > 0:27:38Box junctions,
0:27:38 > 0:27:41red routes, and don't forget those funny signs
0:27:41 > 0:27:44that look like a motor bike is jumping over a car.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Sometimes it can seem like there is more paintwork
0:27:47 > 0:27:48and hardware on our roads
0:27:48 > 0:27:51than on the shelves of your local DIY supermarket.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54But it's all there for our safety and convenience.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56But if you, the hapless motorist,
0:27:56 > 0:28:01should fall foul of all this street signage and find yourself with a fine,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04then it's going to hurt. However, don't give up hope.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07If you're in London and think you are innocent,
0:28:07 > 0:28:10then bring your story plus any photos, videos,
0:28:10 > 0:28:13even letters from your mum along with you to here,
0:28:13 > 0:28:15the London Tribunals,
0:28:15 > 0:28:18to have your case heard by an impartial
0:28:18 > 0:28:20and professional adjudicator.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Last year, they heard about 40,000 cases
0:28:22 > 0:28:25and almost half of them were successful.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29So if you feel a bit aggrieved, it's worth fighting your case.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32I'm meeting up with Ora,
0:28:32 > 0:28:35who is hoping he's going to be one of the lucky 50%.
0:28:35 > 0:28:36Good to meet you.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39Now, you're not watching a video there of a movie, are you?
0:28:39 > 0:28:41No. What is it?
0:28:41 > 0:28:45It's the actual incident that happened and it's a box junction.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47And your defence here is what?
0:28:47 > 0:28:52Basically, there was plenty of room at the box junction, on the lane,
0:28:52 > 0:28:53and I went through,
0:28:53 > 0:28:58but another car in another lane came and this one stopped here.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00And there was no room.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02I suppose the argument is, you know,
0:29:02 > 0:29:05the Highway Code says they must be empty before you enter the space.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07Must be room for you to exit them, isn't there?
0:29:07 > 0:29:12Well, I mean, it's just the rear tyres but it's not impeding any...
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Anything, really. You've obviously got quite a fair argument.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17What do you think your chances are here?
0:29:18 > 0:29:20Well, I just look at logic and reason.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23If you've got logic and reason, it should be fine.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25How much is your fine at the moment?
0:29:25 > 0:29:27?130.
0:29:27 > 0:29:28Ouch.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30OK. Well, good luck.
0:29:30 > 0:29:31Thank you. I'll be sitting in the back
0:29:31 > 0:29:35and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you. Cheers.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38130 quid, ouch indeed.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42Let's hope for his sake logic and reason are on his side,
0:29:42 > 0:29:44as adjudicator Belinda is waiting.
0:29:47 > 0:29:48Hello. Come and take a seat, please.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50Thank you for seeing me.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53But first, she wants to give Ora a quick Highway Code refresher.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57So, before we look at the evidence, can I just,
0:29:57 > 0:30:00probably telling you what you already know,
0:30:00 > 0:30:03but can I just explain about box junctions?
0:30:03 > 0:30:06If we imagine this is the box junction,
0:30:06 > 0:30:08the way that the legislation was set up
0:30:08 > 0:30:13and the wording that's used is for motorists to, in their vehicle,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16stay one side of the junction,
0:30:16 > 0:30:19conscious of the dimension of their vehicle,
0:30:19 > 0:30:23until they can see enough space the other side of the junction
0:30:23 > 0:30:26to completely accommodate that vehicle.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28That's what I said!
0:30:28 > 0:30:33Any stopping of any part of the vehicle within the crosshatched area
0:30:33 > 0:30:34is a contravention.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36He's got my sympathy,
0:30:36 > 0:30:39but anyone else get the feeling Ora might have to box clever
0:30:39 > 0:30:40if he's going to win this one?
0:30:40 > 0:30:44So, let's see how this one pans out, yes?
0:30:44 > 0:30:47So, the traffic's moving and this is you, isn't it?
0:30:47 > 0:30:49The red vehicle. Yes, and this one...
0:30:49 > 0:30:52You see, there's plenty of space up ahead and then this vehicle starts
0:30:52 > 0:30:57indicating now to go left, so this vehicle here...
0:30:58 > 0:31:00Erm, you know, obviously...
0:31:00 > 0:31:04And I was beeping my horn and, you know, it was very frustrating.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06And so that leaves you with your rear wheels...
0:31:06 > 0:31:09I would have had plenty of space.
0:31:10 > 0:31:11And it has happened after,
0:31:11 > 0:31:17so these are extraordinary circumstances which were in milliseconds.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Is that a glimmer of sympathy on Belinda's face?
0:31:21 > 0:31:23Ora might be winning this.
0:31:23 > 0:31:28Can I just take it forward to one spot and then explain something?
0:31:28 > 0:31:29Hmm... Maybe not.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32If we stop it here,
0:31:32 > 0:31:35the idea of the legislation as I explained to you is that you wait
0:31:35 > 0:31:39here until you can see that there's enough space the other side.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43This is the only way to avoid a contravention.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47But you didn't wait and you proceeded
0:31:47 > 0:31:52on the anticipation, I think, really, that you would have a space.
0:31:52 > 0:31:53Just to interject...
0:31:53 > 0:31:55Yes. Sorry.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59I mean, there's about four or five feet ahead of this vehicle and
0:31:59 > 0:32:03there's about three or four feet ahead of this vehicle.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05And ahead of that one, so...
0:32:05 > 0:32:08So, yes, it's a general anticipation, isn't it?
0:32:08 > 0:32:12By motorists that they're all going to move at a pace and fill up those
0:32:12 > 0:32:16spaces and unfortunately... And then that vehicle stopped straightaway.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20It didn't pan out as you anticipated, did it?
0:32:20 > 0:32:22I think she's got you boxed in there, Ora.
0:32:22 > 0:32:27To be appreciative of the law, you know, I understand that the...
0:32:27 > 0:32:28You know, that is the law. Yes.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31With box junctions, but, please,
0:32:31 > 0:32:36I've never done this before and I'd like you to take into account that
0:32:36 > 0:32:42there were circumstances there that were not in my control.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44Right, let's take stock.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47Ora's video evidence shows he thought he would have enough space,
0:32:47 > 0:32:51but then he didn't, but only by a foot or so.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53What is it going to be? I know what I think.
0:32:54 > 0:32:55It's strict liability.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57Your vehicle is in the junction.
0:32:57 > 0:33:02I cannot find that you, your vehicle was cut up at that point.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04And so I have to refuse this appeal.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08That it. Fine upheld.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10Say goodbye to 130 quid, I'm afraid.
0:33:10 > 0:33:11That is the end of the case.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13Can I make another appeal?
0:33:13 > 0:33:16Because I feel that I was not in the wrong there at all.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19But he won't get back in the box that easily.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21Well, I found that a contravention did occur.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25Yeah, that is due to another vehicle's intervention.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28Further along the line, not in front of yourself.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30Yes. So the contravention did occur.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32The thing is, I am asking for some leniency,
0:33:32 > 0:33:35because I'm not actually impeding the box...
0:33:35 > 0:33:38Well, as I indicated at the beginning of the hearing,
0:33:38 > 0:33:42I am here to determine whether a contravention occurred or not.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44My remit does not extend to altering
0:33:44 > 0:33:47the amounts of the penalties that are involved.
0:33:47 > 0:33:48They are set by statute.
0:33:48 > 0:33:53It is ?130, I have found that a contravention occurred.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55I will have to refuse this appeal.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59Thank you. You will receive, as I say, my decision in the post,
0:33:59 > 0:34:01in writing, in due course.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03OK, that is your decision, then.
0:34:03 > 0:34:04Thank you. Thank you.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08Good day to you.
0:34:08 > 0:34:09I was right.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12But maybe I should stop with the dodgy box puns,
0:34:12 > 0:34:13I don't think Ora is that happy.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17I think I can sense how you're feeling. Er...
0:34:17 > 0:34:18I feel a bit dejected, you know,
0:34:18 > 0:34:22because those were events out of my circumstances,
0:34:22 > 0:34:27and she was kind of right about me moving too fast.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29You kept fighting your corner, you certainly...
0:34:29 > 0:34:33You didn't throw the towel in easy. But she wasn't budging, was she?
0:34:33 > 0:34:35No, I think...
0:34:35 > 0:34:38The way that they do it is if you have anything
0:34:38 > 0:34:42touching the box... Yeah.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45You can have a wisp of hair, whatever, then that is it.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49I'm getting the impression that the ?130 penalty is going to hurt.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53Yeah, it is going to hurt. I am a single father, I mean, you know.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55Yeah. I am just trying to get on by, you know,
0:34:55 > 0:34:57I am trying to run two businesses...
0:34:57 > 0:34:59Listen, I am sorry about the decision.
0:34:59 > 0:35:00Good luck for the future. Thank you.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02Thank you. Thank you very much. Cheers.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04You know, I feel for Ora.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08It wasn't a massive mistake, but the Highway Code is the Highway Code.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10It is there for a reason.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13It is estimated to cost about ?50 million a year
0:35:13 > 0:35:15clearing up fly-tipping.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18That, give or take, is about ?1 million a week which could be spent
0:35:18 > 0:35:20on something much more needy, like the NHS.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22Fly-tipping is a personal bugbear of mine.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24I think it is an absolute disgrace.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28We all accumulate stuff, we all accumulate an awful lot of rubbish,
0:35:28 > 0:35:30but we don't all bang it in the back of the car and then throw it,
0:35:30 > 0:35:33you know, possibly in a beauty spot in the forest or the common,
0:35:33 > 0:35:34whatever it might be.
0:35:34 > 0:35:35I don't agree with that at all.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39I don't like fly-tippers. Even though it is hard,
0:35:39 > 0:35:42say if you are doing a big clear-out or whatever, it is hard,
0:35:42 > 0:35:45because some people have those big huge bins where you can just go and
0:35:45 > 0:35:46throw your rubbish, some don't.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49So it is difficult, but leaving your stuff at the end of the road,
0:35:49 > 0:35:51that is not cool. I don't think that is cool.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53I don't agree with that at all.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55Those people, they do it and they run away.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58I asked the council... I asked the council to put cameras there
0:35:58 > 0:36:02to detect those people and give them heavy fines.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05You see? It is going on, it is very bad.
0:36:05 > 0:36:10People who fly-tip are absolutely the pits.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13This is the London Borough of Havering.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15It may be on the edge of the biggest city in Europe,
0:36:15 > 0:36:19but that doesn't mean it doesn't have its very own little pockets of
0:36:19 > 0:36:20rural peace and beauty.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22Or at least it should,
0:36:22 > 0:36:27until some doughnut decided it was a good idea to dump this...
0:36:27 > 0:36:28..this...
0:36:28 > 0:36:30..and this.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32Criminal. No, really, it is criminal.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39Fly-tipping on an industrial scale can earn you an unlimited fine and
0:36:39 > 0:36:41five years in prison.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43It is a serious criminal offence.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46You actually obtain a criminal record.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49Fighting the fight for this little corner of England's green and
0:36:49 > 0:36:52pleasant land, against the monster of criminal fly-tipping,
0:36:52 > 0:36:55are waste enforcement officers Jim Ratcliffe
0:36:55 > 0:36:57and his colleague Rod Wynn.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03People who are operating the waste transfer sites
0:37:03 > 0:37:06are disposing of the waste illegally,
0:37:06 > 0:37:11and saving the money that they have to pay to dispose of it legally.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14And it is not just the environmental cost that is at stake.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18The burden for clearing these crime scenes up is borne
0:37:18 > 0:37:20by the good people of Havering borough.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22That is council taxpayers to you and me.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25It is costing us about ?50,000 a month to...
0:37:27 > 0:37:29In costs, to dispose and remove
0:37:29 > 0:37:31the fly-tipping that is taking place.
0:37:32 > 0:37:37Jim and Rod are on a call out to one of the fly-tipping hot spots on their patch.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40This might look like a dead end,
0:37:40 > 0:37:44but ironically, it is actually an access road to the local tip.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47Well, it was until someone dumped this lot.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50And the scale is apparent, even from a couple of hundred metres away.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54That is a major fly-tip.
0:37:54 > 0:37:55Possibly an eight-wheeler load,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58that has come out of a waste transfer site.
0:37:58 > 0:37:59Or a building site.
0:37:59 > 0:38:04That is the kind of stuff that would cost you ?149 a tonne to dispose of.
0:38:05 > 0:38:09I would say there is about ten tonnes there.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12So they have saved themselves the best part of ?1,500.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16But this isn't the first time this secluded site has turned into a crime scene.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20This here is the aftermath of a fly-tip which took place a couple
0:38:20 > 0:38:22of weeks ago that was subsequently burnt down
0:38:22 > 0:38:24before we could remove it, and as you can see,
0:38:24 > 0:38:27it has burnt all the vegetation around it as well.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31So it has actually caused damage to the environment as well as the costs
0:38:31 > 0:38:33of removing the fly-tip.
0:38:33 > 0:38:34Lovely peaceful place.
0:38:34 > 0:38:35And they ruin it.
0:38:35 > 0:38:40To make matters worse, Jim and Rod are seeing copycat crime,
0:38:40 > 0:38:44domestic waste in bin bags dumped on top of the industrial waste.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48What we'll do now is pass it over to Cleansing. They'll come straight down and clear it.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50You know what makes matters worse?
0:38:50 > 0:38:51The council tip,
0:38:51 > 0:38:55where these lazy bin bag bandits could have got rid of their household rubbish
0:38:55 > 0:39:00safely and for free, is less than half a mile away.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02This is the real hot spot at the moment.
0:39:02 > 0:39:03But further down the road,
0:39:03 > 0:39:08it is easy to see why they might not have been able to get to the council's tip.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12Yeah, so you would have difficulty getting any vehicle through there at the moment.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14Only the smallest vehicle, as you can see.
0:39:14 > 0:39:15It is a through route,
0:39:15 > 0:39:19and it actually leads to the London Borough of Havering waste and recycling centre,
0:39:19 > 0:39:23where residents can take their waste legally and dispose of it.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26Still, the excuse of a blocked road will not stop you getting a fine
0:39:26 > 0:39:28for dumping your bin bags if you are caught.
0:39:28 > 0:39:29It is a mess, isn't it?
0:39:29 > 0:39:32But it is the industrial waste that is a serious
0:39:32 > 0:39:35criminal offence and could spell jail time.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38This is the criminal stuff here.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41As soon as you get it clear, they are coming back and fly-tipping.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43The main issue with this type of waste is, as you can probably see,
0:39:43 > 0:39:46it is really construction waste.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49It has probably come out of a construction site.
0:39:49 > 0:39:54It is brick, so the potential to find any evidence in there is extremely limited.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56But we will have a look,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59and if we can find something then we will follow up on it.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04In the meantime, this sorry pile has got to be cleared.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07We'll have to get a grab lorry down here to get this removed,
0:40:07 > 0:40:10so it'll probably take us a day to dispose of this one.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12And a day to dispose of the other one.
0:40:12 > 0:40:17You're talking ?3,000 to ?4,000 just for the landfill costs.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21I am a ratepayer of Havering, I have to end up paying for this as well.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24It is very sad, but,
0:40:24 > 0:40:27you know, somebody has to pay.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30What we would like to do is get the people who are doing it to pay,
0:40:30 > 0:40:31but... We will get them.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33We will get there.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35This clearly is not an isolated problem.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38This used to be a regular spot for fly-tipping.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41You can see the measures they have taken here.
0:40:41 > 0:40:42Elsewhere on their patch,
0:40:42 > 0:40:46Jim and Rod have found another pile of builders' waste.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48I don't know how long it has been there. As you can see
0:40:48 > 0:40:50it has been investigated, because there is tape,
0:40:50 > 0:40:55but it is a fridge freezer, so there won't be any evidence as to who has dumped it there.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58And it has not gone unnoticed by the locals.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00You can't blame them, really.
0:41:00 > 0:41:01Hi, there. Yes.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05Yeah, we have cleared it up recently, but we can't stop them.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08They are dumping it quicker than we can clear it at the moment.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11INDISTINCT
0:41:11 > 0:41:12Let us know.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15MAN: Local resident?
0:41:15 > 0:41:17He said if he sees them he will grass them up.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22Good for you, mate. More citizens take note.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24Right, on to the next pile.
0:41:24 > 0:41:25Will it ever stop?
0:41:25 > 0:41:27Yeah, it's a new one.
0:41:28 > 0:41:29The search continues.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33This... Plasterboard.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37But this time it is a bagged up load of old plasterboard.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40I can't believe they will find any evidence in that lot.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43We've got a receipt here. Yeah, it's got the address on it.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46It is quite local.
0:41:46 > 0:41:47Hang on, wait a minute.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49So, let's take a look at the evidence.
0:41:50 > 0:41:55Bagged up loads of builders' waste, dumped by the road.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58Containing a written address.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01So what we'll do, we will call them in for a police interview.
0:42:01 > 0:42:06Investigations are ongoing, but if Jim and Rod do trace the address,
0:42:06 > 0:42:09they will call the suspect in for an interview under caution.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12At that interview, we will ask them and put it to them how waste from
0:42:12 > 0:42:17their address has ended up in a lane in the London Borough of Havering.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20And obviously it is for them to explain how that might have happened.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23And we'll see what the outcome of that is.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25If it goes to court,
0:42:25 > 0:42:29this dodgy dumper could be looking at some serious jail time.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32Whatever happens, we have to clear it up.
0:42:32 > 0:42:37If we find evidence, great, we can follow those enquiries, we clear it up.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40If there is no evidence, we still clear it up.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43So whatever happens, we have the costs of clearing it up.
0:42:43 > 0:42:49Sadly, I have got a feeling that Jim and Rod's work isn't going to be over any time soon.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Enforcement officers really do have their work cut out,
0:42:54 > 0:42:58but someone has got to do it, or there would be anarchy.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00Join us again for more Dom On The Spot.
0:43:35 > 0:43:36Happy New Year!
0:43:37 > 0:43:39TV: She'll be safe and snug.