AI technology used in crackdown on littering

Eleanor Maslin
BBC News
East Riding of Yorkshire Council Seven people standing in a line wearing yellow and orange high-vis jackets and looking at the camera. They are standing on a grass verge next to a road. A highways van is behind them with a crane, and a man standing in the tub at the top.East Riding of Yorkshire Council
East Riding of Yorkshire Council has started a 12-week trial

A CCTV camera that uses AI technology is being trialled in an attempt to combat littering.

A pilot scheme run by East Riding of Yorkshire Council with Litter Cam involves a camera on the A164 near the Willerby Roundabout recording drivers who dump their rubbish on the road.

It uses AI software to detect number plates and record the litter that gets dumped, and the council will use the information to contact the offenders.

The scheme, which was launched this week, will run for 12 weeks.

If it proves successful, the council said it would look at a longer-term partnership with Litter Cam by installing more cameras in litter hotspots across the county.

Lyn Healing, the council's cabinet member for communities and public protection, said the use of modern technology was a "key element of our strategy".

She added: "Littering is against the law and keeping our streets clean – including our roadsides – costs the council around £4m a year."

Andrew Kemp, chief executive of Litter Cam, said: "We are delighted to be working with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, supporting them in tackling the blight of litter."

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.