Outcomes of the day are:
• 6 vehicles stopped and searched
• 2 Fixed Penalty Notices issued
• 1 vehicle seized
Cllr Julian Saunders, cabinet member for environment at the council, said:
“We’ve been cracking down on fly-tipping across the borough.
“These crackdown days give us the opportunity to work with the Police Rural Task Force to prosecute offenders for waste-related crimes.
“Six vehicles were stopped and searched, two fixed penalty notices were issued, and one vehicle was seized by the police on Friday.
“We also spoke to drivers who had failed to keep a record of where they had collected their waste from and explained how important it is for waste carriers to not only be licensed properly but to retain a log of their collections and delivery waste transfer notes. Failing to do so can result in an on the spot fine of £400.
“We also issued two fixed penalty notices to drivers. One who failed to have a waste carrier license and one for not having waste transfer notes for the waste on the vehicle.
“One vehicle was seized by the police for traffic offences, including not having current tax, insurance or MOT for the vehicle.”
More and more of these action days are taking place across the county. A tremendous amount of preparation takes place ahead of these days, including the gathering of vital intelligence to support the council’s enforcement team with their duties.
What can you do to dispose of your waste responsibly?
Fly tippers often target households via social media or local advertising, luring customers in with cheap rates to dispose of unwanted furniture, building rubble or garden waste. However, these unlicensed waste carriers often simply dump the waste where ever they can get away with it, including in Kent’s country lanes. Householders or small businesses found to be using criminals to dispose of their waste can and are being prosecuted by local authorities in Kent with fixed penalty notices that go up to £400 per offence. Failure to pay such an FPN may result in court action where fines can be significantly larger.
To prevent this, householders should check whether someone is licenced to carry waste by visiting the Environment Agency website below or alternatively call: 03708 506506. It also helps if householders receive a written receipt or transfer note, including contact details, description of waste removed and details of where the waste is being taken to.
The 13 Kent councils, along with Kent Police, are working in partnership to Keep Kent Clean.
To keep updated with the councils’ efforts to tackle fly-tipping and littering, follow: #KeepKentClean
Swale Borough Council
