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Councils are set to be empowered to collaborate with police forces to confiscate and destroy vehicles used in fly-tipping, a move spotlighted by the government ahead of the upcoming local elections.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), will introduce new regulations that could lead to prison sentences of up to five years for individuals who illegally transport waste across England.
Fly-tipping involves the unlawful disposal of waste, often seen along roadsides, instead of utilizing designated waste management facilities. This issue has emerged as a significant concern among voters, with recent government statistics reporting 1.15 million incidents in 2023-24—a 6% increase from the previous year.
Although councils already possess the authority to seize and crush vehicles implicated in fly-tipping, Defra acknowledges that bureaucratic obstacles often hinder such actions. Last year, only two councils were responsible for the majority of enforcement actions.
In addition to simplifying the seizure process, local councils will be authorized to bill fly-tippers for costs related to the confiscation and storage of vehicles. Police departments will also be encouraged to deploy drones and mobile CCTV to help identify offenders.
While specific measures cannot be announced in relation to Thursday’s elections, national strategies like these are permissible. As Labour anticipates significant competition from Reform UK, discussions surrounding immigration and law enforcement have also gained traction.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed launched this initiative at a recycling center in Wokingham, Berkshire, where he witnessed the destruction of a vehicle used in fly-tipping.
Reed emphasized, “Waste criminals and fly-tippers who tarnish our towns and villages have evaded accountability for too long. Today marks a turning point. The government is addressing the issue of fly-tipping directly, and we cannot ignore the growing mountains of waste in our communities.”
He further stated, “Waste crime is eroding community integrity nationwide. Fly-tipping has surged by 20% as prosecutions have declined by a similar margin since 2018-19.”
“The lack of punitive measures against these offenders has resulted in our streets, roads, and countryside becoming overwhelmed by refuse.”
In conjunction with this initiative, the Environment Agency is set to receive additional funding to enhance its oversight of licensed waste operators, gaining more authority to revoke permits from non-compliant companies and impose fines.
Philip Duffy, CEO of the agency, remarked, “Waste crime is detrimental to public health and the environment. The reckless actions of these criminals endanger communities and undermine legitimate businesses.”
“We are steadfast in our commitment to holding these offenders accountable through stringent enforcement and prosecution, which aligns with the government’s efforts to eliminate waste criminality and reinforce reputable practices within the waste sector.”
Source
www.theguardian.com