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Vehicles crushed by Medway council in effort to combat fly-tipping

Three vehicles used in fly-tipping operations have been crushed by a local authority.

The scrappings are part of a Medway Council initiative to reduce fly-tipping across the region, an issue which cost the authority £4.1million to combat last year.

The environmental enforcement team, which responded to more than 3,500 reports of fly-tipping in 2018, has seized six vehicles since November.

Two were taken by police in November - one of which was crushed on Monday - and a further four were confiscated following an operation on February 7. Of the latter four, two were found unroadworthy and as a result were also compacted on Monday.

One of the remaining two vehicles was seized in Rainham as the owner of the vehicle was not a registered waste carrier, however the owner paid a £300 fine and the vehicle was returned.

Further enquiries are being carried out into the last vehicle – the owner has 15 working days to appeal the seizure.

Medway Council are clamping down on fly-tippers. (7333673)
Medway Council are clamping down on fly-tippers. (7333673)

Cllr Jane Chitty, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder covering enforcement, said: “Thanks to the hard work of our environmental enforcement team, and with the police’s support, more vehicles involved in fly-tipping have been removed from our roads for good.

"We do not tolerate fly-tipping in Medway and we will take action against anyone found to be involved in this type of illegal activity.

"Fly-tipping is not only unsightly, but it costs the taxpayer thousands of pounds each year. We will continue to thoroughly investigate all incidents and we will prosecute those who are found dumping waste illegally in Medway.

Fly-tipping dumped in Corporation Street, Rochester Picture: Medway Council (7333676)
Fly-tipping dumped in Corporation Street, Rochester Picture: Medway Council (7333676)

"I would like to thank residents who continue to report incidents to us and would encourage them to keep doing so.

"Fly-tipping does not just happen in rural areas, offenders also dump waste in more urban areas. We all have a responsibility to help keep Medway clean and tidy."

Inspector Dave Smith of the Rural Task Force said: "This is a large scale issue which blights communities across the county.

Archive picture of fly-tipping in Medway
Archive picture of fly-tipping in Medway

"To effectively tackle this problem, it is important we work alongside our colleagues from local authorities to send a message to those illegally disposing of waste their behaviour will not be tolerated.

"This is not just about someone littering, this is organised criminality that has a negative impact on communities and we are keen to work with local people to continue to stamp out this crime.

Archive photo of fly-tipping on Meresborough Road, Rainham
Archive photo of fly-tipping on Meresborough Road, Rainham

"We would ask anyone having work done at their home to make sure that they check the person taking away their waste is licensed to do so. Police and local authorities are also keen to hear from anyone who has information of those involved in fly-tipping.

"By working together we can protect the garden of England and the countryside can be enjoyed by the community."

To report fly-tipping, visit www.medway.gov.uk/flytipping

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