Joint Redbridge Council and Police operation targets law breakers on the borough’s roads

Redbridge Council teamed up with the Police recently to run a joint operation targeting potential fly-tippers and illegal drivers to help keep Redbridge safe and clean.

During the 2.5 hour operation in Seven Kings council officers and the police ran checks on more than 40 vehicles.

The police checked stopped vehicles were roadworthy and drivers had all the necessary documentation, as well as being on the lookout for vehicles linked to other crimes like burglaries, and stolen motor vehicles. Law breakers, including those driving without vehicle insurance, had action taken against them by the police.

Redbridge Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers also made checks on commercial vehicles commonly used for transporting waste and found two to be non-compliant and unlicensed so they 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.

Leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Kam Rai said: “We held a successful operation with our community partners - the Metropolitan Police who focused on motoring offences while council officers tackled rogue waste removal businesses. We want to send a message, loud and clear, that illegally operating waste removal services are not welcome or tolerated in our borough, or by our local communities. We won’t hesitate to use the full weight of the law against those engaging in irresponsible and illegal waste disposal practises in Redbridge. 

“You can also help us keep our borough clean by using our bulky waste collection service, entitling households to one free collection a year, or by using reputable waste disposal services when removing waste from your property.

"Our officers are investigating fly tips and monitoring hotspots, but we need your help. If you have information on anyone committing these crimes, please let us know, using our Report It service to tell us where it is so we can continue to keep our borough clean and tidy for everyone to enjoy.”

 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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