Hounslow Council launches new \'visible\' enforcement team to tackle fly-tipping

Residents are set to see a more targeted and visible presence on Hounslow’s streets with a dedicated team of officers set to tackle fly-tipping, littering, anti-social behaviour and parking offences.

The measures, approved by Cabinet in November 2025, include an enforcement team which will be a highly visible presence on the streets. Launching this month, the initiative follows the council’s 2024 resident survey, where safety and fly-tipping were main concerns for residents.

Hounslow currently has the fifth-highest rate of fly-tipping in London, with more than 27,000 fly-tipping incidents over the past year. The council has confirmed that "the total yearly cost for collecting and disposing of fly-tipped waste is around £4m.

Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of Hounslow Council, said: “Clean and safe streets is a major priority for our residents. We listened to their concerns and we are taking action.

"We’re on the side of the law-abiding majority who respect their neighbourhoods and take pride in where they live. "Everyone must take personal responsibility and follow the rules. The message for those who don’t is clear – break the law and we’ll catch you and fine you.” Under the new plans, each area of the borough, based on Council wards, will have a dedicated team of Enforcement Officers. To ensure they are easily identifiable, the team will wear distinct new uniforms to increase visibility while out and about in the borough.

Key features of the rollout include:

• Real-time response: The team will be equipped with hand-held devices allowing them to identify, capture, report and respond to issues in real-time.

• Immediate penalties: Officers will enforce Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), which will enable the enforcement team to issue on-the-spot fines for anti-social behaviour.

• Community focus: The team will engage with local communities and educate residents on how to dispose of waste and recycle correctly" and "hold regular community action days to hear from the community.

Councillor Pritam Grewal, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Customer Experience and Enforcement, stated that the "new approach to enforcement is about protecting our streets and public spaces, and the pride people have in where they live."

He added: “Through an integrated enforcement team, new technology and collaboration with our communities, we will tackle fly-tipping, littering, irresponsible parking and driving, and other antisocial behaviour.

"All residents will benefit from this initiative as it will save taxpayers’ money and improve our neighbourhoods.”