Residents of Southend-on-Sea were treated to a prehistoric spectacle this week, as CCTV footage captured a mysterious purple dinosaur committing a blatant act of fly-tipping. The incident, which occurred on the night of December 3, 2025, has since gone viral, amusing social media users and highlighting local frustrations with waste collection.
A Jurassic Dump in Essex
The now-famous video shows the individual, dressed in a full Barney the Dinosaur costume, exhibiting a surprising degree of caution before their crime. The purple perpetrator is seen looking both ways before crossing the road, either displaying good road sense or scouting for potential witnesses. Clutching two black bin bags in its diminutive arms, the dinosaur then races across the street to hurl the rubbish unceremoniously onto the pavement—right next to a wheelie bin.
Not content with a simple getaway, the costumed culprit paused mid-escape to perform a celebratory pole dance on a lamppost, adding a bizarre flourish to the illegal act. A local resident who provided the footage to Your Southend expressed their disbelief, stating: ‘I couldn’t believe my eyes! It was the night before bin day, too.’ They quipped, ‘Clearly he is struggling with the new bin rules!’
New Bin Rules Spark 'Revolt'
The resident's comment touches on a genuine local issue. Southend City Council has recently implemented new waste rules, which include replacing standard 180-litre wheelie bins with larger 240-litre versions for eligible households. The council confirmed that eligibility is based on specific criteria, including:
- Families with six or more permanent occupants.
- Households with two or more children in nappies.
- Homes where adults use incontinence pads.
- Residences with a medical need producing high volumes of non-recyclable waste.
The council has stated it will consider other extenuating circumstances individually. Online, many saw the dinosaur's actions as a protest. One Facebook user joked, ‘I think Barney is staging his own little anti-bins revolt Robin Hood style. Long live Barney.’ Another expressed empathy, linking it to the challenges of fortnightly collections: ‘The issue is that if you miss one you are screwed. Might order a T-Rex outfit on Amazon now.’
Social Media Roars with Laughter
The footage has provoked widespread amusement online, with witty comments flooding social platforms. One user corrected the dinosaur's species: ‘That’s not a T-Rex it’s a Doyouthinktheysaurus’. The incident has also prompted an appeal to find the costumed fly-tipper before they litter elsewhere. Metro has contacted Essex Police for comment on the investigation.
While the identity of the person in the dinosaur suit remains unknown, their actions have certainly put a spotlight on waste management challenges in Southend. The council's new policy aims to tailor services to need, but as the viral video shows, not everyone is happy with the changes—even if they express their discontent in a unusually colourful and theatrical manner.
