ESSEX Police rural engagement officers carry out regular operations to tackle fly-tipping and the illegal transport of waste.

They patrolled Basildon, Brentwood, Epping and Uttlesford districts last week, 9 September, with staff from local council environmental and waste teams, stopping and checking vehicles carrying waste to ensure that they had the correct insurance and licences in place. 

Sergeant Paul Brady, of our Rural Engagement Team, says that, this time, the drivers of all but one of the vehicles stopped were found to have the correct licences and insurance. Regrettably, several new fly-tipping sites were also located.

The force’s rural engagement officers receive a favourable response from licenced waste carriers who are stopped during our operations, says Paul.

“They are pleased to see us taking action against people who cut costs and fly-tip waste, and not just because they are paying for the correct insurance and licences.

“Everyone is affected by the potential dangers from illegally-dumped rubbish and illegally-driven vehicles.”

Police have powers under the Road Traffic Act to stop a vehicle and check a driving licence to make sure the driver is legally allowed to drive it and is insured correctly. If not, drivers and vehicle owners can be fined and, in some cases, their vehicles will be seized under section 165 of the act.

Meanwhile, councils will check whether a waste management licence is in place.

Paul explains: “People who dispose of waste must do so legally. We carry out joint checks with local councils to help keep people and our environment safe.

“Driving lorries and vans with an incorrect licence poses a threat to other road-users because the driver may not be trained to drive their vehicle safely. An incorrect licence will also invalidate their insurance.

“We also find that people who ignore these laws are more likely to be driving an unsafe vehicle perhaps because it is overladen or because its MoT has expired.

“Illegally dumped waste can cause harm to wildlife and pollute our water sources. It also costs landowners, such as councils and farmers, a significant sum to clear up.”

Householders and businesses wanting to hire someone else to dispose of their waste have a duty to ensure those people have the correct insurance and licences. 

Paul says: “Customers can be also fined or prosecuted if your waste is dumped illegally by someone you pay to take it away so you must check to make sure the firm or person you employ holds a waste carrier’s licence. This is easy to do via the Environment Agency’s website.”