Fly-tipper prosecuted by Redbridge Council after dumping rubbish outside waste disposal centre

Redbridge Council has successfully prosecuted a man from Waltham Forest for fly-tipping after he illegally dumped bags of rubbish outside Chigwell Road Reuse and Recycling Centre after arguing with staff.

The Council took action against Junaid Ali Rafi, age 33, after being alerted to the fly-tipping incident by staff at the waste disposal centre. Rafi was also caught on camera being verbally aggressive to staff at the scene.

Chigwell Road Reuse and Recycling Centre can be used for free by residents of Redbridge, Newham, Havering, or Barking and Dagenham, with proof of their identity in the form of a driving licence with current address, or a current council tax bill.

Rafi, of Forest Drive East, Leytonstone, in Waltham Forest, arrived at the centre in a vehicle accompanied by another man, and attempted to access the site by showing an unopened letter addressed to a female as his proof of ID.

Staff advised Rafi, who was a passenger in the vehicle, that he didn’t have the required ID showing he was entitled to use the Redbridge based facility. On challenging staff, Rafi was repeatedly advised that he could only gain access by providing an acceptable form of ID.   

Moments later the unidentified driver and Rafi emerged from the vehicle, removing several bags of rubbish from the boot, which they proceeded to dump by the site’s entrance gate.

As they continued throwing the bags of rubbish to the ground, some split open sending the waste content spilling out across the floor.

Bodycam footage worn by a site operative also showed both men being verbally aggressive and abusive to staff before getting back in the vehicle, reversing over some of the fly-tipped rubbish and fleeing the scene.

The incident was reported to Redbridge Council’s Enforcement Team, who quickly traced the vehicle back to Rafi.

Court proceedings were initiated against him after he failed to attend two council-led interview appointments as part of the investigation, as well as fail to provide details of the driver.

Rafi appeared at Barkingside Magistrates Court on Tuesday 23 May 2023 and pleaded guilty to fly-tipping. He was sentenced to a fine, and ordered to pay victims surcharge, council costs and compensation to Renewi for clear-up costs, all totalling £945.

Redbridge Cabinet Member for Environment and Civic Pride Cllr Jo Blackman, said: “There is never a reason to leave your rubbish behind in our borough, including outside the local tip. Dumping rubbish and abusing staff is inexcusable behaviour. Our council takes a tough stand against anyone caught fly-tipping and will use the full weight of the law to bring to justice those caught making a mess in our borough.”

The prosecution is part of a range of council-led initiatives to tackle fly-tipping, which includes Redbridge Wall of Shame – a microsite dedicated to identifying culprits caught on camera dumping their rubbish in Redbridge, and committing other environmental crimes.

The microsite shares CCTV footage of grime crime offenders and encourages local people to share any information that may help identify the culprits.

To view the latest edition of Redbridge Wall of Shame go to: https://wallofshame.redbridge.gov.uk/

If you are able to identify any of the offenders contact Redbridge Council on: Cleansing.Services@redbridge.gov.uk

To report a fly-tip go to: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/report-it/

Chigwell Road Reuse and Recycling Centre (RRC) is managed by Renewi on behalf of the East London Waste Authority. For more information on the centre, including opening hours go to: https://eastlondonwaste.gov.uk/chigwell-road/

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