Camera trial starts to spot people littering from vehicles

The camera will be placed on Warwick Way.

A camera, which uses artificial intelligence, is being trialled in Loughborough to spot people littering from vehicles.

Charnwood Borough Council will be piloting the LitterCam technology on Warwick Way over a 12-week period and vehicle owners could be fined £150 if the cameras catch litter being thrown from the vehicle. 

Cllr Liz Blackshaw, lead member for communities and neighbourhoods said: “Whether litter is being dropped in the street or thrown from a vehicle, it is absolutely unnecessary and completely avoidable.

“Not only does it make areas look untidy, but it can take years to degrade and be harmful to wildlife.

“It is the first time the technology has been used in the borough and the trial will give us an opportunity to review its effectiveness.

“I hope this pilot will help clamp down on those who think chucking rubbish out of a vehicle is acceptable and make them consider holding onto their litter until they get home.”

The camera will automatically detect rubbish being thrown from a vehicle and could include litter such as cigarette ends, coffee cups, drinks cans and food packaging.

If the offence is caught on the camera, an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera will record the vehicle’s number plate. The footage will be verified by the Council before being sent to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).