thelondonpaper vendors caught on film dumping thousands of unwanted copies

The footage, collected by Associated Newspapers on three separate occasions and at three different locations and independently verified by a former Scotland Yard detective inspector, clearly shows unopened bundles of thelondonpaper being surreptitiously discarded.

VIDEO:
Click here to watch the footage (short version)
Click here to watch the footage (long version)

But that could just be the tip of the iceberg. The investigation suggests that dumping by thelondonpaper distributors is systematic and widespread and raises serious questions over the paper's published circulation.

Advertisers will be horrified that they have been paying for ads in countless thousands of papers that went straight into bins without ever passing through the hands of a reader.

A spokesman for Associated Newspapers said: "News International's distributors are behaving irresponsibly and unprofessionally."

Steve Auckland, Managing Director of Metro and London Lite, said: "Our investigation shows a repeating pattern of dumping by thelondonpaper vendors at different locations in central London. They are desperate and oversupplying the market.

"When thelondonpaper launched, News International claimed that they would distribute the newspaper from 4.30 pm to 7.30 pm but we have many examples of newspapers being desperately given away at much later times, even as late at 9.00pm.

"At London Lite we try to keep waste to a minimum that's why we distribute 400,000 copies."

The three occasions filmed by Associated were independently witnessed by former Fraud Squad Detective Inspector Phillip Swinburne. They show:

1) 800 papers dumped by thelondonpaper vendors at Barbican, 19th March 2007 (representing approximately 27% of vendor allocation)

2) Over 1,000 papers dumped by thelondonpaper vendors at Liverpool Street, 23rd March 2007 (representing approximately 19% of vendor allocation)

3) 1,100 papers dumped by thelondonpaper vendors at St. Paul's, 3rd April 2007 (representing approximately 50% of vendor allocation)

In the film the individuals involved are clearly identified as thelondonpaper employees first seen offering newspapers to passers-by before disposing of hundreds of copies in refuse bins (some as early as 5.25 in the afternoon). The three occasions filmed form part of an investigation that also revealed further examples of bundles of thelondonpaper being dumped in bins and on buses.

VIDEO:
Click here to watch the footage (short version)
Click here to watch the footage (long version)

For further information please contact Sarah Kemp at Brown Lloyd James on 020 7591 9610, mobile 07816 522555 or email sarahk@blj.co.uk