AI deployed to catch litter louts red-handed

A camera has been set up in a Leicestershire town which uses artificial intelligence to catch people littering. Charnwood Borough Council[1] has announced it is piloting new technology named LitterCam in Warwick Way, Loughborough, over the next 12 weeks to test the equipment.

The camera will try and catch people who throw litter out of their vehicles[2] onto the street, home to one of the town’s three McDonald’s restaurants and close to Gorse Covert where Morrisons is based. Using new technology, it will automatically detect rubbish being tossed out which could include cigarette ends, coffee cups, drinks cans and food packaging.

If caught, an automatic number plate recognition camera will record the vehicle’s number plate. The footage will then be verified by council officers before being sent to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).[3]

The details of the registered owner will then be shared with the council so it can issue them with a fine through the post. An online portal will allow the offenders to check the evidence to support the claim.

People can be fined up to £150 if they are caught throwing litter out of their vehicles.[5] Laws introduced in 2018 means the registered owners are held responsibly and may be fined if caught.

Half way through the 12 week trial, its use will be reviewed and the council[6] has said it may be relocated to a different part of the town. It added Warwick Way had been chosen due to recent reports of litter in the area.

Councillor[7] 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 gives 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.”

References

  1. ^ Charnwood Borough Council (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  2. ^ throw litter out of their vehicles (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  3. ^ Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA). (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  4. ^ Leicester school forced to close over concrete safety fears (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  5. ^ throwing litter out of their vehicles. (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  6. ^ the council (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  7. ^ Councillor (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)