main content Vehicle ownership investigation leads to prosecution

An investigation into the ownership of a van suspected of being involved in a fly tipping incident has resulted in the prosecution of a Downham man. Lee Dennard failed to respond to a section 71 notice requesting ownership details of a transit van and was fined £150 and ordered to pay costs of £50 at Bromley magistrates court. This latest prosecution underlines the Council’s commitment to investigating enviro crimes and taking enforcement action.

“If you think that you can routinely dump rubbish in our borough without any worry of being caught – then think again ! We continue to investigate all fly tip incidents with an eye to launching prosecutions. I do have to say that I am extremely disappointed with the risible fine handed down by the Magistrates on this occasion however.”

“Investigating incidents such as dumped rubbish and dumped cars is a time consuming and expensive process. The next time we prosecute someone, I hope for and expect far better support from them by ensuring that a much bigger punishment is imposed” said Councillor Colin Smith, Executive Councillor for Environment and Leisure.

The Council’s Street Services team were investigating 50-70 dumped car tyres discovered in Milk Street last November. Investigations subsequently led to the owner of a white transit van. A section 71 notice was sent to the registered owner of the vehicle requesting details about the owner and driver of the recently sold vehicle. A response was not received by the Council’s Street Services team and the prosecution followed. The maximum fine for failing to respond to a section 71 notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is £5,000. The Act gives legal entitlement to enforcement agencies to request information in connection with ‘enviro crime’ investigations.

Under the Council’s Enviro-crime Reward Scheme, rewards of up to £500 are on offer to anyone giving information leading to the successful prosecution of fly-tippers or other enviro-crime offenders. An enviro crime reward is being given to an individual who assisted in the investigation. Call the Customer Service Centre with your information or reports of dumped rubbish on: 020 8313 4557.

Tyres need to be carefully disposed of according to Environment Agency advice and the landfill directive stops tyres being ‘land-filled’. Businesses or householders disposing of any waste need to make sure that their waste is handled by a ‘registered waste carrier’ – otherwise they risk prosecution if the waste is subsequently fly tipped. Checks about firms registered as waste carriers can made online and a link is available at www.bromley.gov.uk/wastenews.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor on 020 8461 7670 e-mail andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk or Peter Turvey, Enforcement and Technical Support Manager on 020 8313 4901.