More than 100 drivers were asked to pull their vehicles over in the district as part of Operation Clean Sweep in support of the county-wide SCRAP fly-tipping campaign.
West Lindsey District Council in partnership with a number of agencies carried out a number of stop and searches within Lincolnshire to help crack down on illegal transfer of waste and any other offences. It was part of a Lincolnshire wide campaign to fight the blight of fly-tipping in the county, prevent and disrupt hazardous illegal waste activity, and cut the clear up cost.
A total of 109 vehicles were stopped and 72 vehicles were searched by partners including the Environment Agency, Lincolnshire Police, Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and the HM Revenue and Customs last month. Alongside this, four Illegal Waste Sites storing hazardous waste were discovered and these are being investigated.
The campaign reminds people to check their waste is being taken away for disposal by a licensed carrier – either by asking to see a Waste Carriers Licence or by looking up the company on the Environment Agency website to check if they have one.
Conservative Chairman of the Prosperous Communities Committee at West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Owen Bierley said:
“The stop and search days have been a great success for West Lindsey. It demonstrates our commitment along with partners to SCRAP fly tipping and to ensure that businesses that operate in our area have the correct documents in place to dispose of their waste. Working collectively with partners has allowed us to look at a variety of offences and we are already in discussions as to the best way to regularly carry out activities like this.
“We want our residents to feel confident in our ability to deal with fly tippers and unlicensed waste carriers and would encourage anybody who suspects any activity like this to report it to the Council so we can investigate it.”
Over a period of four days, five fixed penalty notices for waste offences were issued (£300 per offence), waste loads were found to be mis-described on documentation and 20 vehicle and driving offences were identified, for example no insurance.
In addition, advice was given to 57 other motorists for a range of issues ranging from bold tyres, vehicle concerns, tax expiring, securing heavy load, management of waste documents, licence requirements even if waste disposal is minimal, correctly document waste transfer notes.
Stuart Hoyle, Waste Crime Engagement Specialist for the Environment Agency said:
“Fly Tipping, large scale dumping of waste and illegal waste sites affect us all, blight our communities and the environment. The EA and our partners are intervening together against it. Our intention is continue collaborating across the whole of Lincolnshire to prevent and disrupt waste crime.”
People can avoid an unlimited fine by following the SCRAP code:
Suspect ALL waste carriers
Check with the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 that the provider taking your waste away is licensed
Refuse unexpected offers to have waste taken away
Ask what will happen to your waste
Paperwork should be obtained – get a full receipt
All of Lincolnshire’s councils, the Environment Agency, Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner joined together to support the SCRAP fly-tipping campaign. SCRAP is based on an award-winning and successful campaign continuing to be developed by the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership and its partner authorities, with more joining all the time.
