Hertfordshire Constabulary has issued a warning to residents after 10 waste carriers were found to be trading without a license during a two-hour joint operation in Harpenden last week.
The joint operation with St Albans city and district council and Trading Standards last Wednesday (22 August), also identified two vehicles with no insurance and another vehicle with a “bald tyre” according to police.
‘Hefty fine’
The joint operation between police, St Albans city and district council, and Trading Standards found 10 waste carriers to be trading without a license
Following the operation, PC Jane Flemons, rural and wildlife officer warned residents that they could face “a hefty fine or even prison” for handing over their household and building waste to waste carriers without a licence.
“Always check that the person disposing of your household waste has a waste carriers licence, issued by the Environment Agency and ask them to provide an address, phone number and vehicle registration details,” she added.
The motorists operating without a licence have been given 14 days by St Albans district council to produce or obtain a licence. If they fail to do so their details will be passed onto the Environment Agency who will begin legal proceedings, Herts police said.
The two motorists without insurance were each given a £200 fine and six penalty points on their licence, while the person with a bald tyre was handed a Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme (VDRS) notice and has seven days to repair the tyre and have it checked by an MOT examiner.
If this is not done they face a £60 fine and three penalty points on their licence, Herts police states.
Partnership
Councillor Frances Leonard, portfolio holder for the environment for St Albans city and district council, praised the operation as a “highly successful” and an example of the partnership working that is “required to tackle the scourge of flytipping”.
“I am sure this crackdown will act as a deterrent and will also remind businesses and households that they have a legal duty to ensure anyone taking away their waste requires a license to do so.”
“I am sure this crackdown will act as a deterrent and will also remind businesses and households that they have a legal duty to ensure anyone taking away their waste requires a license to do so.”
Councillor Frances Leonard
St Albans city and district council
According to Herts Police, the two-hour operation in St Albans Road was part of an ongoing initiative to tackle rural crime. The 12 vehicles suspected of carrying waste were stopped by officers and compliance officers from the council and their documentation was checked to ensure the right trading a waste carrying licences were in place.
PC Jane Flemons continued: “We ran this operation to help protect residents from illegal waste carriers. Fly tipping also adds considerable costs to the local council to clear and has an enormous impact on the community and the environment.
“It is disappointing that two vehicles had no insurance and another had a bald tyre. It is important we catch these people to keep our roads safer for law abiding motorists.”
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
