Dover District Council and Kent Police worked together in a joint operation on Wednesday (8 June 2016) to help crack down on fly-tipping in the area.
Operation Assist was a joint operation with officers from DDC's Environmental Crime Team and the Police's Rural Crime Team. Officers focussed on stopping and searching commercial vehicles in rural areas around the district, checking waste carriers were keeping to the law, and raising awareness of these key issues.
During the joint operation, seven vehicles were stopped by the Police, and Council officers conducted searches of vehicles checking for waste carrier licences and necessary documentation. Officers also engaged with local landowners and provided contact details to report incidents of fly-tipping or suspicious vehicles.
DDC and Kent Police remind householders that individuals have a legal 'duty of care' to ensure waste is only given to people who are registered waste carriers. It is an offence to fail to make these checks. You could face an unlimited fine if your waste ends up fly-tipped and you cannot show that you took reasonable steps to prevent it.
Paul Neagle, DDC Environmental Protection Manager said: "We are very pleased with the success of Operation Assist, and continue to work closely with Police and all our partners to keep the district a safe place. Fly-tipping not only looks unsightly but it can be harmful to people, animals and the environment, and is a criminal offence."
If a member of the public witnesses fly-tipping they should report it online on the DDC website, or by phoning 01304 872428 during office hours or 01304 821199 outside of office hours.
