A JOINT operation between Thurrock Council and Essex Police tackled potential fly-tippers transporting waste in the borough.

Over the course of two evenings officers stopped and checked more than 30 vehicles they suspected of transporting waste to make sure they were properly licensed and issued nine on-the-spot fines to drivers that were found to be in breach of waste carrier regulations.

Police also issued a £100 fine to the owner of a vehicle which did not have an MOT.

Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill said: "This operation demonstrates that we are working hard to target those who think they can use Thurrock as an illegal dumping ground.

"Over the last three years we have carried out 16 of these joint operations checking waste carriers. In that time we have issued 631 fixed penalty notices and seized eight vehicles for fly-tipping as well as issuing over 13,000 on-the-spot fines for offences like littering, spitting or dropping cigarette ends.

"Fly-tipping is not a victimless crime, if the waste is dumped on public land then Council Tax payers have to foot the bill for its removal and if it is on private land then the land owner is left to cover the cost.

"It is vital that residents only use reputable and fully-licensed waste carriers if they have waste to dispose of, they could end up being fined if our investigation into a fly-tip leads back to them.

"There is no need for anyone to fly-tip. Our bulky waste service will collect large items from your home for a small fee and our Household Waste and Recycling Centre is open eight hours a day seven days a week."

More information about the Bulky Waste Collection service can be found via this link.

More information about Linford Household Waste and Recycling Centre can be found here.