Features
Householders are not exempt from waste offences ...
New stop and search powers to tackle the menace of illegal fly tipping have been used in Rotherham for the first time. And, following the first operation involving South Yorkshire Police , the Environment Agency Rotherham Borough Councilofficers, two £300 fixed penalty notices were served.
The new stop and search powers are contained in the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, which came into force in April.
Richard Bramall, Rotherham Borough Council's Enviro Crime Manager, said three joint operations were carried out in various parts of the borough.
"We must have a police officer present to stop suspect vehicles, and we have powers to ask to see the driver's Certificate of Registration as a Waste Carrier, which is issued by the Environment Agency, along with the Waste Transfer Note." said Richard.
"If the driver cannot produce them, he is given a notice requiring him to produce them within seven days. During the three recent operations in Rotherham, ten notices were issued resulting in two £300 fixed penalty notices being issued for failing to produce a certificate of registration.
"Anyone transporting controlled waste must be a registered carrier of waste. If there is no such registration, we will issue that person with a fixed penalty notice, or prosecute, as appropriate.
"Householders are not exempt from waste offences. With the exception of the waste that goes in a wheelie bin, householders must make sure that anyone to whom they give their waste has a certificate of registration as a carrier of waste.
"However use of the household waste recycling centres is free to private residents who can also use the council's bulky item collection service," said Richard.
Officers are also using covert cameras at fly tipping hotspots across the borough. "We now have a number of covert cameras at fly tipping hotspots across the borough. The cameras are highly mobile and extremely difficult to detect, and anyone caught fly tipping will be prosecuted," said Richard.
And, Richard had this warning for fly tippers: "We will be carrying out more similar joint operations in the coming months. Fly tipping is illegal, it is anti social and it is unsightly. We are determined to stamp in out."
Reducing the incidence and impact of anti social behaviour is one of the eight priorities within the Safer Rotherham Partnership's three year strategy to reduce crime and disorder across the borough.
One of the targets within that priority is to increase the percentage of residents who are satisfied that their area is kept clean of vandalism, graffiti and rubbish.
Reprinted from a South Yorkshire Police Press Release dated 14 June 2006. The copyright for the article rests with the South Yorkshire Police.
Waste recycling centres:
- Carr Hill, Greasbrough
- Lidget Lane, Bramley
- Warren Vale, Rawmarsh
- Common Road, North Anston
Opening hours of all four sites is:
April 1 to September 30 from 9:30 a.m to 7:00 p.m
October 1 to March 31 from 9:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m
Further details about Rotherham Waste Management and Recycling Services
Your business can receive advice and support on minimising waste production
©2004