A fly-tipping crackdown in Thanet

Thanet District Council is committed to tackling environmental crime and has recently brought three successful fly-tipping prosecutions against Thanet residents who dumped waste in the vicinity of their own homes.

The council invests considerable resources each year into cleaning up fly-tipped waste in the district. Its dedicated streetscene enforcement officers, who are leading a crackdown on the practice which blights roadsides and country lanes, fully investigate sites where fly-tipping has occurred. The team is determined to bring successful prosecutions against anyone dumping waste illegally.

The message is clear – anyone found to be fly-tipping in the district can be assured that the council will seek the harshest penalties from the court.

Cllr Rosanna Taylor-Smith, Cabinet Member for Operational Services at Thanet District Council said: “Residents want to see a tougher approach to fly-tipping; one that will result in prosecutions and hopefully lead to a reduction of instances of fly-tipping in our district.

“We are proud of our district and this inconsiderate behaviour is damaging the local environment. There is no excuse and these cases show the serious consequences of illegally dumping waste.”

On 13 March 2018, the following were found guilty at Canterbury Magistrates Court:

• Samuel Lee of Ramsgate Road in Broadstairs pleaded guilty and was fined £300 with £120 costs and £30 victim surcharge. Total bill – £450.

The fly tip was discovered on Reading Street in Broadstairs.

• Robert McCallum of Prestedge Avenue, Ramsgate pleaded guilty and was fined £120 with £120 in costs and £30 victim surcharge. Total bill – £270.

The fly tip was discovered on a field at the rear of Prestedge Avenue.

• Lisa Oram of Dane Mount, Margate pleaded guilty and was fined £300 with £120 costs and £30 victim surcharge. Total bill – £450.

The fly tip was discovered at the rear of Dane Mount.

In the last twelve months, 3,300 street scene enforcement actions have been carried out by the council which is the highest number of combined enforcement action ever taken. Actions include giving formal advice, issuing Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs), formal warnings, prosecutions and formal cautions with costs. The council has also placed covert cameras in fly tipping hotspot areas which has already led to a successful capture.

Residents of Thanet have a duty of care to ensure they only give their waste to registered waste carriers. Anyone who witnesses instances of fly-tipping is encouraged to report it online or via the My Thanet App.

Ends –

Notes to editor

• Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of liquid or solid waste on land or in water.

• The offence of fly-tipping, and the additional offences of ‘knowingly causing’ or ‘knowingly permitting’ fly-tipping, are set out in Section 33(1)(a) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Section 33 is enforceable by both the Environment Agency and the local authorities.

• Fly-tipping is a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £50,000 or 12 months imprisonment if convicted in a Magistrates’ Court. The offence can attract an unlimited fine and up to 5 years imprisonment if convicted in a Crown Court.