In all, seven ‘stop-and-search’ operations were carried out on vehicles in February, March and April as part of Operation Luton, as they entered the sites.
The waste they were transporting was inspected by officers from East Sussex County Council to see if it was trade waste, which is not allowed at any of the 12 Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRS) provided by the County Council.
Cars were also inspected by police and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to check they were not unsafe or being driven illegally.
As a result, 22 motorists were refused entry and a further 70 cases required further investigation.
Councillor Matthew Lock, the County Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Environment, said: "This was a great example of agencies working together for the public good. Businesses choosing to cheat the system by filling public facilities, which are designed for residents, with trade waste are simply selfish and need to be stopped.
"It was also a great opportunity to identify vehicles that were potentially being driven illegally and to remove that danger from the roads."
Trade waste must be disposed of either by taking it to a licensed facility or removal by a registered waste carrier, rather than at any County Council HWRS.
People wishing to transport or deal in controlled waste as part of a business or for profit may need to register with the Environment Agency (EA) and apply for a waste carrier’s licence. Companies caught without the appropriate licence can face large fines.
Where trade waste was identified entering the sites during the operations, representatives from the EA checked motorists for the correct permits.
At the same time VOSA checked vehicles for roadworthiness, while Sussex Police officers checked motorists had the correct documentation, such as insurance and road tax.
Finally, police also ran general checks on motorists to see if any were wanted in connection with other offences or if they were the subject of any warrant.
The County Council and the EA together inspected over 200 vehicles suspected of carrying trade waste, ranging from private hire cars to heavy goods vehicles.
In a number of cases notices were issued to vehicles that were not up to standard, requiring the owner to rectify the defect and MOT the vehicle within a set time period. In other cases penalty notices were issued to drivers who were driving illegally.
The operation, which was planned with the helpful co-operation of waste contractor Veolia and the various district and borough councils, will be repeated later this year.
Notes to editors
Contacts for further information:
- Sussex Police – A/PS Dan Pitcher, East Sussex Road Policing Unit, Polegate, tel: 0845 60 70 999 (switchboard) ext 69306 or email: dan.pitcher@sussex.pnn.police.uk
Able to give specifics on notices issued and for what offences. Officers attended events on 4, 5, 11 and 12 February at Eastbourne and Hastings HWRS.
- VOSA – Kevin Lancaster, tel: 07980 892730 or email: kevin.lancaster@vosa.gov.uk
Able to give information on notices issued on 2 events on 4 and 15 February at Eastbourne and Hastings HWRS respectively.
- Environment Agency – Officer involved wasLiz Wood, but please contact Georgina Harris, Communications Officer, Southern Region, tel: 01903 832364
Liz attended on 15 February and would like to add a quote endorsing the events.
- Veolia ES – Martin Prior, but please contact: Kelly Booth, Communications Officer, tel: 01273 410231
Reference:
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