A vehicle suspected of being used for fly-tipping activity has been seized following investigations, as part of ongoing efforts to tackle environmental crime across the borough.
The Ford Transit van was seized on Star Lane, Orpington, following investigations by the council's Environmental Enforcement Team, with the investigation ongoing. The seizure is the latest example of enforcement action being taken to stop fly-tipping. This news has also prompted the council again to urge residents to carefully check the credentials of any waste disposal operator they hire, including checking they are a licensed waste carrier.
In the last six months, ten vehicles suspected of being used in fly-tipping have already been crushed, with the latest vehicle seized as part of ongoing action to tackle waste crime across the borough. The latest seized vehicle now means six vehicles have also been seized in the last six months.
A council spokesperson said, "We know there will be some unscrupulous individuals who have been paid in good faith by residents to dispose of waste, with the money being pocketed and the waste fly-tipped in a quiet spot. Our strong advice is to check the person you’re using for disposing of waste is bonafide and has a waste carrier licence, which is a legal requirement. Our investigations are continuing but we are taking robust action against those suspected of being involved, including seizing vehicles linked to waste offences.”
Residents and businesses are reminded to only use legitimate waste disposal operators and to check that anyone removing waste on their behalf is a registered waste carrier. Failure to make these checks could result in action being taken if waste is subsequently found to have been fly-tipped.
Residents can check that the person or business they are using to dispose of waste is a legally registered waste carrier. Fly‑tipping can be reported online at: www.bromley.gov.uk/report.
Residents can also dispose of bulky items of waste at the Churchfields Road Reuse and Recycling Centre or at the weekend Reuse and Recycling Centre on Baths Road or by booking an appointment for the council to collect items direct with details on the council’s website.
Anyone with information about fly-tipping is encouraged to report it to support ongoing investigations. Report fly-tipping and other enviro crimes by visiting www.bromley.gov.uk/envirocrime, with rewards of up to £500 available for information leading to prosecution.
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For media enquiries, please contact David Aderogba, Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8466 3060 or email David.Aderogba@bromley.gov.uk