Crackdown on fly-tipping sees van seized in Amesbury

The vehicle was stopped and seized at Solstice Services in Amesbury on Wednesday March 18 by officers working alongside Wiltshire Council's Enforcement Team. It follows a joint investigation by the council and police which linked the vehicle to fly-tipping in the Collingbourne Ducis area.

The driver, a 31 year old local man, has been invited for interview by the council.

The action marks the start of a campaign which will see officers from Wiltshire Police and Wiltshire Council check out vehicles and seize any that are suspected to be used for fly-tipping or being unlicensed to carry waste.

The council is able to seize a vehicle if it is suspected to have been used to commit fly-tipping; driven by someone not registered as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency; used at a site that is breaking the rules of an environmental permit; breaking the rules of duty of care - used to transfer waste to someone not registered as a waste carrier.

Members of the public who wish to play their part against fly-tipping should:

•Check that the person they pass their waste to is an authorised carrier and has an upper tier waste carrier's licence by visiting the Environment Agency website or by calling the Environment Agency on 03708 506506.

•Note the registration number of any vehicle taking the waste away, as well as the vehicle description and that of the collectors.

•Ask for a receipt detailing where the waste is going, information about the transportation vehicle and the carrier's authorisation number. This is a legal obligation for businesses, but householders are also advised to request this information.

•Take your own household waste to a household recycling centre.

•Residents can report fly-tipping online. If the information they report leads to the successful prosecution of an offender or the payment of a Fixed Penalty Notice, they could earn a reward of up to £200 in high street vouchers courtesy of the council.