MORE than 700 people have been punished over the past year as part of a crackdown on environmental crime.

Waltham Forest Council prosecuted 42 people and handed out fixed penalty notices to a further 666 following the launch of its Wiping Out Enviro Crime campaign in January last year.

The campaign introduced a raft of initiatives designed to curb offences including fly tipping, graffiti, littering and dog fouling.

The council announced in July it was handing out cash rewards of up to £500 if residents could supply evidence which lead to a successful prosecution.

The authority denied it was paying residents to spy on neighbours.

In order to be eligible, people must provide enough information to take a case to court and may be asked to appear in court to give evidence themselves.

The council has recouped £26,785 from fixed penalty notices, £13,760 from fines and £16,282 in court costs.

Businesses which were prosecuted included a children’s nursery, car showroom and a window shop.

Councillor Afzal Akram, the council's cabinet member for community safety, enforcement and protection, said: "If people are tempted to commit environmental crimes in our borough the message is simple - We’re going to find you and prosecute you.

"We will not tolerate filthy practices in our borough and it is not acceptable for people to just dump their rubbish wherever they choose for the council to clear up after them.

“The campaign has been a big success and I hope we can continue to find and punish those people who are intent upon turning our streets into a rubbish dump.”

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Twitter