App to tackle flytipping, vandals and graffiti (From This Is Lancashire)

App to tackle flytipping, vandals and graffiti

9:00pm Friday 27th May 2011 in News By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

FLYTIPPERS, vandals and graffiti artists should be warned - there’s an ‘app’ for that.

Trouble spots can be reported to the Love Clean Streets initiative, backed by Keep Britain Tidy.

People sick and tired of seeing rubbish dumped in their back streets, parkland or railway sidings are urged to take a snap on their smartphones and text it to the organisation’s website.

Eco-campaigners then undertake some detective work and track down the council or public body responsible for the problem.

The system, which can be accessed via a host of social networking websites, has already produced benefits this month in nearby Blackburn.

Earlier this month when flytipping was reported, by local resident John Wilson, near the railway line in Glen Close, Little Harwood, the issue was relayed to Great Places Housing Association and promptly tackled.

Another problem with graffiti, also reported by Mr Wilson, off Higher Audley Road, opposite Cicely Street, has been passed on to Blackburn with Darwen council.

Several incidents were also reported to Pendle Council earlier this year and have been dealt with.

Web co-ordinator Kathryn Halton said: “You can simply download the free app from iTunes or the Windows Marketplace.

“Then you can submit reports of any problems you spot on the streets of Pendle – or anywhere else in the country.

“Then you send a picture and the location and use the website to track your report, search for others in the same area or share them on Twitter and Facebook.”

Borough councils each provide their own existing hotlines and online forms for reporting similar problems.