By Ben Perrin
Copyright birminghammail
Nineteen vehicles belonging to fly-tippers in Birmingham have been seized so far this year. And it has prompted Birmingham City Council to “turn crime into an opportunity”. The authority said the seized van, pictured above, would either be repurposed for council use or gifted to a college for students to gain real world training in vehicle maintenance and repair. READ MORE: Police hunt Jaguar hit-and-run driver as man killed in Longbridge crash READ MORE: Shocking moment gunshots fired on Birmingham nightclub dancefloor In the last four weeks the city council received an average of 759 fly-tipping reports per week, against an average of 660 reports per week in the same four-week period last year. City environment boss Coun Majid Mahmood posted on X: “We have seized our 19th vehicle in 2025 used for illegal fly-tipping and it’s being put to better use. “The van will either be repurposed for city council use or gifted to a college for students to gain real world training in vehicle maintenance and repair. Turning crime into opportunity. “Supporting local education. Cracking down on environmental damage Thank you to the @WMPolice , local councillors and residents for their support. Much appreciated.” In the last six months, 12 vehicles used to commit fly-tipping have been seized, 304 fixed penalty notices issued and 21 prosecutions finalised. Coun Mahmood added: “We are determined to identify and prosecute the culprits on this site. “Fly-tipping is a blight on our communities and a serious criminal offence. We will not tolerate individuals who think they can profit by dumping waste illegally and leaving the clean-up costs to taxpayers. “We are committed to protecting our neighbourhoods and the environment. Illegal dumping not only scars our streets and green spaces, but it also poses health risks and undermines the hard work of residents who take pride in their communities.” Community campaigners reported that fly-tippers had struck again on Bell Holloway in Allens Cross, Northfield , last week. It followed another flip-tipping incident days earlier at nearby Merritt’s Hill.
