Illegal vehicle crackdown: Sandwell bin lorries to be fitted with number plate recognition cameras

Refuse truck at Sandwell Depot and an ANPR-style camera Credit: ITV Central / PA Images

Bin lorries in Sandwell are to be mounted with Number Plate Recognition cameras as part of a council-led crackdown on ‘nuisance’ vehicles. 

The authority said it's starting "a number of operations" next month following complaints from residents about 'illegal' vehicles being left blocking pavements and streets. 

Following a pilot crackdown last year, the council said the measures mean:

  • Camera cars will start patrolling Sandwell’s Streets to identify illegal vehicles

  • The council will be purchasing additional Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras

  • To tackle the issue on "an ongoing basis" the cameras will be mounted in council vehicles, including refuse trucks

  • Secure data will be sent to enforcement agents and if the vehicles are found to be on the public highway without tax, MOT or insurance, the authority said they will be towed.

Cameras will be mounted in council vehicles, including refuse trucks.

Councillor Rajbir Singh, leader of Sandwell Council said: “Our residents are sick of nuisance vehicles and the associated crime and anti-social behaviour they can bring so we are getting them off our streets. 

We ran a pilot last year and so we know the technology works, so our message is clear, no longer will Sandwell allow the situation to remain where law-abiding residents in effect subsidise those who won’t pay their tax and insurance.”

The council said if people want to keep their vehicles, then they must make sure they’re properly taxed and insured, or they could be towed and crushed.

Read more:

The first all-electric bin lorry in Berkshire hits the streets of Reading
Crackdown on car tax avoiders in Swansea