The Environment Agency has highlighted two operations tackling waste crime in recent weeks in Worcestershire and London.
Multi-agency operation
Enforcement officers from the Environment Agency have led a multi-agency operation to curtail the activities of a convicted waste criminal in Worcestershire the Agency said.
In a statement, the Agency said that vehicles worth about £41,000, including a tractor and trailer units, have been confiscated from Ridgeway Farm, Throckmorton. They had been identified as stolen.
Vehicles were confiscated by the Environment Agency at Throckmorton
The farm is the business address of John Bruce who was sentenced to a 26-month custodial sentence in May 2018 for operating an illegal waste site at the farm between 2011 and 2014, said the Agency.
Mr Bruce was prosecuted for six offences in which waste totalling about 25,000 cubic metres was either dumped, buried or burned.
‘Crackdown’
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “The vehicles seized were identified as stolen and the West Mercia Police have started a criminal investigation.
By seizing these vehicles, the multi-agency operation has curtailed the ability of Bruce to commit further environmental offences.
This work shows the Environment Agency is determined to crackdown on waste crime.”
The Agency said that Simon O’Donnell, 31, of Latimer Road, London W10 6QX, was found guilty for the illegal dumping of mixed waste at a site in West Barnes Lane, Raynes Park, Wimbledon, Merton.
Mr O’Donnell was prosecuted by the Environment Agency as part of Operation Angola, which is cracking down on criminal gangs who dump significant amounts of waste across the South East.
It followed a trial at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on 1 July, where Mr O’Donnell was also ordered to pay £1,000, plus £500 costs and a £100 victim surcharge.
‘Strong message’
Daniel Kettridge, enforcement team leader for the Environment Agency, said: “We hope that today’s ruling sends out a strong message that we will search out and prosecute anyone found to be dumping waste illegally.
“The operation of a waste site without regard for the environment and the law have the potential to harm our natural resources. It can also blight communities and undermine the legitimate businesses that do follow the rules.”
“Our role is to protect the environment for people and wildlife, so we won’t hesitate to take action against those who put it risk. And to businesses flouting the rules our message is clear: you won’t get away with it.”
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
