Vehicles seized and potential fly-tippers weeded out in Redbridge operation targeting law breakers on the borough’s roads.

A recent Redbridge operation targeting vehicles linked to crime, and potential fly-tippers, has led to a motorbike and van being seized, and multiple fines being issued for waste related offences in the borough.

During the 4-hour police led operation in Ilford Lane, supported by Redbridge Council, checks were made on more than 100 vehicles to help keep Redbridge safe.

The police were on the lookout for illegal drivers and vehicles linked to crimes like burglaries, drugs and theft. Those caught breaking the law had action taken against them by the police, which included the seizure of a motorbike and a van which were being driven without insurance or MOT.

Redbridge Council’s Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers also made checks on commercial vehicles commonly used for transporting waste and found ten that were transporting waste illegally without a waste carriers licence – the drivers were issued on the spot fines.

The move by council officers came after several fly-tips in Redbridge were found to be dumped by illegally operating waste removal services. Instead of legally and responsibly disposing of the waste they had been hired to remove, the rogue operators ended up dumping it on the borough’s streets instead.

During the operation, drivers found to be transporting waste were asked to produce a valid waste carriers licence and associated documentation to establish if they were operating legally.

By law, all businesses transporting and disposing of waste in England have to be registered with the Environment Agency and have a valid Waste Carriers Licence – a legal requirement designed to prevent fly-tipping. Illegal waste carriers often charge local people to take their waste away, only to then fly-tip the waste on green and open spaces.

Redbridge Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, Cllr Khayer Chowdhury, said: “This successful joint operation saw our police partners focus on criminal offences like burglaries and drugs, while council officers targeted rogue waste removal businesses. We have zero tolerance for those who do not respect our Borough and are working hard to catch the culprits making a mess and spoiling our local environment.

“Our officers are investigating fly tips and monitoring hotspots, but to make the greatest impact we must act together as a community and need your help too. If you spot a fly-tip, or have information to help identify a fly-tipper, get in touch with us. Vehicle number plates, and descriptions of fly-tippers also help, along with security camera footage, including from video doorbells. By working together we are cracking down on fly-tippers trying to get away with their crimes.”

If you spot a fly-tip in the borough you can easily report it online through the council’s Report It page:  https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/report-it/

Local householders are also being reminded not to fall foul of the law by taking steps to ensure anyone hired to remove waste from their property, including building waste, is authorised to do so with the correct Waste Carriers Licence.

Failure to do so could lead to a £600 fine if your waste is discovered fly-tipped and you cannot provide evidence of who you gave it to for removal or neglected to check if they had a valid Waste Carriers Licence.

If you are hiring a private contractor to remove household, garden, or construction waste from your property remember to:

• Check the individual or company being hired is registered with the Environment Agency and has a valid ‘Upper Tier’ Waste Carriers Licence. This can be done on: https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers

You can check using either their registration number, business name, or postcode, or call the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.

• Do research to find out if they are a genuine and reputable company or individual
• Check where they are proposing to take your waste
• Record the registration number of any vehicle removing waste from your home
• Pay by cheque, card or bank transfer as payments can be traced if the waste is fly tipped. If they insist on cash refuse their service
• Obtain a waste transfer note and a receipt for their service and keep it as proof.

The council offers a Bulky Waste Collection Service entitling residents to a free collection every 12 months (maximum of 3 items). For more details, including costs for additional collections go to: www.redbridge.gov.uk/bins-waste-and-recycling/book-a-bulky-waste-or-large-item-collection/

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