CCTV cameras installed at a supermarket’s recycling point to catch fly-tippers also captured someone dumping cats from a van.

Around 35 people are facing £1,000 fines or court action after the cameras caught them dumping rubbish close to but not in the recycling bins at Morrison’s in Northfleet.

The cameras were installed by Gravesham council’s environmental enforcement team following multiple complaints of fly-tipping at the shop in Coldharbour Road.

Over a period of three weeks, they recorded illegal dumping including household waste, furniture, tyres, and even complete house clearances.

They also captured incidents of indecent behaviour - people urinating - along with criminal damage, and in one case a male abandoning several cats from a van, which have not been found. The incident has been referred to the RSPCA.

Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox, the council’s cabinet member for strategic environment, said: “The level of fly-tipping at the Morrison’s recycling point has been simply unacceptable, and we make no apology for placing CCTV there to catch the culprits.

“People need to understand they are committing an offence by dumping material next to the recycling bins, only some of which we are responsible for emptying which we do on a regular basis, and which are only for glass and electrical items.

“If the bins are full, take your items home and try another time.”

He added that the dumping of waste put others off using the recycling point, presented a public health risk and cost the council and its council taxpayers a substantial amount to clear.

He said: “What is particularly frustrating is that the household waste and recycling centre at Pepperhill is just a six-minute drive away from Morrisons and was open at the time many of the offences took place. There is simply no excuse.

“We have shown time and again that we do not tolerate fly-tipping in Gravesham, no matter how big or how seemingly small the offence.

“Our environmental enforcement officers have a tremendous track record of identifying offenders, and when we find you, you will face a significant penalty and risk a criminal conviction.

“Ask yourself, as the Morrisons’ fly-tippers are right now, is it really worth it?”

In most cases, offenders are being issued with £1,000 fixed penalty fines, the maximum allowed by law.

If they go unpaid the council will take court action, which could lead to an even more substantial fine, costs and a criminal conviction.

Those believed to be responsible for a number of larger-scale tips on the site will go straight to court.

The registered keepers of the vehicles involved have been identified and will be required to identify those responsible for the fly-tipping.

If they fail to, they, as the keeper of the vehicle, will be prosecuted for the offence.

A resident who lives close by said they don’t like visiting the recycling bank at the supermarket.

They added: "There always seems to be some kind of rubbish dumped on the ground or evidence of anti-social behaviour.

"It is not always pleasant to visit when you want to recycle and I sometimes go elsewhere if I can. It can be a little intimidating."