Crackdown on fly-tipping

Published Thursday 16 November, 2023
Last updated on Tuesday 16 April, 2024

Waste carriers were targeted last week (9 November 2023) as part of a regular crackdown on fly-tipping.

Swale Borough Council teamed up with Kent Police’s Rural Task Force to crack down on suspected fly-tipping, collect evidence, and take enforcement action for waste related crimes.

Outcomes of the day were:

• 9 vehicles stopped and searched
• 5 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) issued

Each offender received a fixed penalty notice of £300 for failing to produce a permit to carry waste, or the necessary documents.

Cllr Rich Lehmann, chair of the Environment Committee at the council, said:

“Fly-tipping is not only an eyesore on our country lanes, but it is also hugely damaging to our natural environment.

“We as a council are determined to take action against selfish individuals who use our beautiful landscape as a dumping ground.

“That is why our officers are regularly teaming up with Kent Police to give out penalty notices to clamp down on fly-tipping.

"Swale Borough Council are undertaking regular operations with the police, identifying offenders and fining them for facilitating the removal of waste illegally.

“Always be wary of cheap waste removal services being advertised on social media. If any illegally carried or dumped waste points back to you, you will likely be investigated for waste related offences where the outcome could be a fixed penalty notice or even prosecution.

“It is important to remember that even though scrap metal may have value and won’t necessarily be fly-tipped, we need to identify where the other non-metal waste items, that came with the metal, are going.

“You should always ask the waste carriers for their license and ask for a written receipt or transfer note. We all have a responsibility to make sure our waste is disposed of correctly.

“Residents should also be aware that we are currently reviewing the cost of fixed penalty notices for waste related crimes, following a change in legislation in July, which allows for much higher penalties to be issued.

“Help us keep Swale’s environment clean by disposing of your waste responsibly."

Swale Borough Council regularly carries out these days of action with Kent Police. The council’s enforcement team gathers intelligence in advance to help target the right areas to carry out 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 wherever 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.  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, or calling 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.