Council binmen in Swansea have been armed with cameras to snap bags of street refuse.The move is part of the fight to clean up local streets.
The waste watchers are snapping pictures of bins and bags of rubbish put out by businesses.It is not known how many crews have been handed the cameras.
But they have been seen taking snaps in the city centre, including Wind Street.Council officers say the pictures are a useful way of monitoring the cleanliness of the streets and can be used to ensure commercial premises have enough bin space.
Last week the Post reported that Swansea Council was preparing to introduce high-visibility litter officers in the city centre, with the power to impose on-the-spot £75 fines.
People dropping all types of litter, including cigarettes and chewing gum, will be at risk of a fine, although an appeal process against prosecution will be available.
CCTV could also be used to trap offenders.The first fines could be handed to litter louts in April. Neighbouring Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot councils already impose cash penalties on those who drop litter.
The digital cameras are the latest weapons in the war on waste in the city.Last October, the council prosecuted Mount Pleasant resident Michael Reeves for putting the wrong kind of rubbish in green recycling bags. The Evening Post sports journalist became the first person in Wales to be taken to court for the offence, and was fined £200.
But environmental activists said they feared the case could discourage other householders from recycling.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said the authority would continue to use the cameras as a tool to help keep city streets clean.
He said: "The council's litter enforcement team regularly inspects the city centre shopping area to ensure it is a clean and attractive place for shoppers. We work closely with city centre retailers and businesses to ensure that issues such as commercial waste are appropriately managed."
