Two vehicles suspected of being used for fly-tipping have been seized as part of the council’s work to tackle waste crime, with the action also a reminder of the need to dispose of waste responsibly.
The separate seizures are the latest example of the council's ongoing enforcement action to tackle and prevent the illegal dumping of rubbish, with investigations continuing. In the last six months alone, the council has seized nine vehicles and crushed eleven vehicles linked to fly-tipping activity.
The latest vehicles to be seized - Ford Transit Tippers - were both taken this week during separate investigations, with one being seized in Old Maidstone Road, Sidcup and the other seized in Barnfield Road, St Mary Cray. Both trucks were seized using powers outlined in the Environmental Protection Act 1990, relating to the illegal depositing of waste and breaches of waste duty of care legislation. The owners of the vehicles are advised that they can claim the vehicle by sharing the relevant documentation or the trucks could be crushed or otherwise disposed of.
Tipper trucks can be used to transport large volumes of waste and therefore can also be attractive to those seeking to profit from the unlawful collection and disposal of waste. Fly-tipping has a significant impact on neighbourhoods, causing environmental hazards for residents and road users, particularly when waste is dumped on roads, country lanes and other public spaces.
A council spokesperson said: "Tipper trucks can be used to generate large profits by being used to dispose of large volumes of waste, with fly-tipping seen by some as highly commercially profitable. But fly-tipping is not a victimless crime. It damages the environment, creates hazards on roads and country lanes, and blights local communities. This is why vehicles suspected of being used in these activities can and will be seized. Residents can help too by checking that anyone they pay to remove waste is a registered waste carrier. A few simple precautions can help prevent waste from ending up dumped in our neighbourhoods."
The council encourages anyone with information about fly-tipping or other environmental offences to report them to support ongoing investigations. Report fly-tipping and other enviro-crimes via the council website, with rewards of up to £500 available for information leading to prosecution.
Residents and businesses are reminded to dispose of waste responsibly and ensure that anyone removing waste on their behalf is a legally registered waste carrier. Businesses must also ensure they comply with their legal duty of care when arranging the disposal of waste, with further information available on the council website.
Bulky household items can be taken to the Churchfields Road Reuse and Recycling Centre, the Weekend Reuse and Recycling Centre on Baths Road, or collected directly by the council by booking an appointment.
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Editor’s notes: Both Ford Transit Tippers were seized under Sections 33, 34 and 34B of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, relating to the illegal depositing of waste and breaches of waste duty of care legislation. As part of this legislation, vehicles suspected of being used in waste-related offences may be seized and, where appropriate, subsequently disposed of if they are not lawfully reclaimed.
For media enquiries, please contact David Aderogba, Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8466 3060 or email David.Aderogba@bromley.gov.uk