He’s after your rubbish
Dumping your rubbish is against the law – and you are not going to get away with it.
 This is the message from council officers from across Norfolk as they mount a new, even tougher, campaign to tackle the problem of fly tipping.
With waste continuing to be dumped illegally by the county's roads and in beauty spots, action to clamp down on fly tipping is now being stepped up.
Without revealing their methods, officers in Norfolk say they are no doubt that more people will now be caught if they offend – and as well as a heavy fine they could find themselves facing a prison sentence.
Barry Brandford, principal officer for environmental protection at West Norfolk District Council said: "Fly tipping is not going to be tolerated. Right now steps are being taken across Norfolk to catch those who commit these offences.
"We will prosecute those we catch – and we will press for the maximum penalty for each and every offence."
Fly tipping in Norfolk sees all manner of waste being left in the countryside.
From household refuse and DIY waste left by homeowners to building waste left by rogue traders and hazardous chemicals dumped by law-breaking businesses, officers regularly come across a range of items which have been abandoned illegally.
Either too lazy to dispose of them safely or hoping to avoid the costs of hiring a skip or taking the refuse to a household or commercial waste centre, offenders are damaging the environment and often putting passers-by in danger
 |
| Locks and barbed wire are being used as one line of defence against the society menace of fly tipping. |
The cost of clearing up the waste is met by councils which means people in Norfolk are paying for it through their council tax.
"The amount of waste that is being fly tipped is increasing, particularly commercial waste said Barry. "This is why these extra steps are now being taken.
"The Environment Agency is putting in extra resources and more staff are now being taken on. These are people whose jobs focus on catching fly tippers – and they will catch them."
Those caught offending could face a fine of up to £50,000 or a sentence of up to 12 months in prison if dealt with in the Magistrates Court, said Barry. If dealt with in Crown Court, the fine is unlimited and they could find themselves behind bars for up to five years.
"On top of that we can also claim our costs for having to clean up and dispose of the waste properly and safely," he added. "We can also seize their vehicles."
He urged members of the public to be vigilant and to report anyone they saw dumping waste items in areas they shouldn't be left in.
"Make a note of the time and date you saw them as well as the vehicle type, colour and registration number," he said. "Do not approach them as this would be neither safe nor sensible."
He added: "If you do have a camera or video phone and can take a picture or footage discreetly then this could also be very helpful."
There is always a legal way of disposing of waste items, Barry continued. Much can be reused or recycled but if it does need to be disposed of, then it must be taken to the right place.
Anyone who is unsure of how to do this should contact their district council or visit www.norfolk.gov.uk
"There is no excuse at all for fly tipping and we have the power to stop and search anyone we suspect of doing so," he added. "Whether people are leaving one refuse sack of rubbish or a whole lorry load of demolition material, fly tipping is a criminal offence and it will not be tolerated."
Asking someone to get rid of your waste?
• Only use reputable waste disposal companies.
• Ask to see a Waste Carriers Licence and where the waste is to be disposed of. If in doubt, check with the Environment Agency on
0800 807060
• Beware of anyone who offers to get rid of your waste on the cheap – they may be going to fly tip it.
|