Contents

News roundup

Tough action reduces fly tipping

Recent Government figures show that in 2024 to 2025 the number of fly tipping instances in Bexley reduced by 12% year on year thanks to a Council crackdown. The figures released by the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) demonstrate that our tough approach to fly tipping is having a real impact.

Tougher actions taken over the past year include more joint police operations to identify unlicensed vehicles and individuals, the introduction of higher fines and penalties, the increased use of cameras, more patrols in problem areas and new signage placed at hotspots making it easier for residents to report fly tipping incidents.

In the last year more than 241 fixed penalty notices of either £200, £500 or £1000 were issued to residential properties, individuals or businesses in Bexley who illegally fly tipped their rubbish.

The Council also recently removed 110 tonnes of fly tipped waste from Wallhouse Road in Erith illegally dumped by unlicensed waste removal companies. The installation of new cameras and introduction of other enforcement measures at this hotspot since then have significantly reduced this type of illegal activity in that area.

It is quick and easy to report fly tipping to the Council via FixMyStreet. If you witnessed the incident or have any information about what happened, please email envirocrime@bexley.gov.uk.

CCTV investment

The Council’s new flexible CCTV system is a hybrid model, with both fixed cameras in key locations and mobile cameras which can be temporarily placed in different locations to assist with responding to reports of crime.

The new system has already been successful in providing CCTV evidence for local investigations and in support of Community Safety in the Borough.

Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, Cllr Brian Bishop said:

Our investment in a smart CCTV system delivers greater impact in keeping our residents safe. The new system allows us to target the places where cameras are most needed, as well as giving us increased flexibility and greater precision in image quality.

The new system represents a significant transformation in how the Council supports public safety, community reassurance and enforcement activity, while ensuring compliance with national surveillance standards and delivering value for money.

Civic Recognition Awards 2026

Photo of staff and winners of the Civic Recognition Awards 2026

On 22 May, at the Civic Offices in Bexleyheath, a number of incredible individuals were recognised at the Borough’s Annual Civic Recognition Awards. The award winners were honoured for their outstanding contributions in three categories.

Cllr Christine Catterall, who was Mayor of Bexley at the time of the ceremony, praised the winners for their dedication, leadership and compassion for their communities.

Cllr Catterall was succeeded by Cllr Lisa-Jane Moore in the position of Mayor on 27 May.

Cllr Catterall said:

These awards recognise the important contribution our residents and organisations make to Bexley.

As we all thank these exceptional groups and individuals this evening, we cannot fail to be inspired by their stories and motivated to continue making a positive difference in our community. Thank you for joining us in this celebration and congratulations to all our award winners." 

For the first time, we were delighted to host the ceremony jointly with the Deputy Lieutenant’s awards, which celebrate the contribution of our youth groups to the Borough.

The categories and winners of the evening included:

Civic Recognition of Voluntary Service by Young People

  • Finlay Hasemore

Civic Recognition of Voluntary Service by Adults 

  • Robert Petty
  • Donna Brown
  • Respect in Bexley (Mencap)
  • Friends of the Old English Garden
  • Julie Ramsden
  • Brian Crane
  • Mazhar Korkut
  • Colin Taylor
  • Bexley Voice
  • Men in Sheds
  • Jasminder Kaur Sidhu
  • Celine Olszowka

Civic Recognition of Outstanding Achievement

  • Dean Gardiner
  • Sidcup Community Larder
  • Parv Choudhury
  • Belvedere Boxing Club
  • Lisa Muirhead
  • Sophia Cakebread
  • Abigail Beale
  • Joseph Baverstock
  • Marina Ostyak

Summer safety advice

Bexley has one of the lowest burglary rates in London; however, statistically, burglaries increase during the summer. People can leave doors and windows open to catch a breeze, spend more time away from home and accidentally drop clues online that their house is completely empty.

  • to prevent opportunistic burglaries, If you are not in a room, the window should not be open. If you leave the house even for a short walk to the local shop, lock it up
  • keep bushes around windows and doors cut down so neighbours or passers by have a clear line of sight to your entry points.
  • install motion-activated floodlights around your property’s perimeter
  • don’t leave ladders, lawnmowers, or heavy tools sitting out in the garden. A burglar will use your own ladder to reach a vulnerable second-story window
  • if you go on holiday, ensure your social media accounts are locked down to friends only, rather than public. Don’t let criminals know you are away

For more detailed security and safety information, please visit the Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association website.