Clean sweep on illegal waste activities in Lincolnshire
Day of action takes place in Lincolnshire to target waste criminals.
The Environment Agency visited waste sites which are suspected to be operating illegally or in breach of their permit conditions.
- Waste crime undermines legitimate business, can cause harm to the environment and to local communities
- Anyone with information about waste crime to contact the Environment Agency’s hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
The Environment Agency and partners, including Lincolnshire Police, Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), South Kesteven Council and HM Revenue & Customs, have joined forces. They joined together to crack down on illegal waste activities in Lincolnshire – named Operation Clean Sweep.
In a targeted day of action, officers disrupted activities of those believed to be involved in illegal waste activities. Teams also gathered intelligence and evidence to support future enforcement action.
A number of vehicles were stopped and checked to ensure that they were operating in line with the law. Partners issued fixed penalty notices to unlicensed waste carriers, with further enforcement notices being issued by Lincolnshire Police and the DVSA. A fixed penalty notice was issued by South Kesteven District Council with follow up enquiries made by the Environment Agency on vehicles found transporting hazardous waste.
The Environment Agency also visited waste sites which are suspected to be operating illegally or in breach of their permit conditions. One site was found to be storing thousands of tyres illegally and has now been instructed to stop all activities.
Stuart Hoyle, waste crime engagement specialist for the Environment Agency in Lincolnshire, said:
Waste crime undermines legitimate business, can cause harm to the environment and misery for local people.
We are continuing to work with our enforcement partners in pursuing those committing illegal waste activities across Lincolnshire.
We remain committed to preventing and disrupting fly-tipping, large scale waste dumping and the closure of illegal waste sites.
We urge anyone with information about waste crime to contact our hotline 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/pre-form.
Marc Jones, Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said:
Keeping our countryside and villages clean and free from illegal dumped waste is a critical part of ensuring our communities and residents feel safe and that is why I am keen to support work in this area.
In addition those individuals and groups involved in illegal waste disposal are often involved in a wide range of other criminal activity and it is important that we seek out and punish those involved.
The work done by partners in South Kesteven is an example of how, working together, we can make a difference.
Operation Clean Sweep has previously been carried out in 3 other Lincolnshire district council areas part of the Let’s SCRAP Fly-Tipping campaign. To avoid fines, the Environment Agency is advising members of the public that when disposing of their rubbish using waste carriers to follow the SCRAP code, meaning:
- 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
Background
- The day of action took place on the 11 October 2022.
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In total 24 vehicles were stopped and checked to ensure they were operating correctly and had all necessary paperwork. The stop checks resulted in:
- 4 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) (of up to £300 each) were issued to unlicensed waste carriers with a further FPN to be issued by South Kesteven District Council
- 4 prohibitions notices were issued by the Police and DVSA
- 1 further enforcement action to be taken.
- Vehicles illegally carrying hazardous waste, scrap metal, waste white goods, green waste and end of life vehicles were also stopped and 3 follow up enquiries are being made.