POLICE and Thurrock Council enforcement officers appear to have stumbled, by chance, onto a major, commercial-scale fly-tipping operation close to Stanford- le-Hope.

On Tuesday, 1 April Thurrock Nub News was advised of police activity around a green belt site between the A1013  and A13 between Stanford and Orsett Cock roundabout.

We received the following film clip:

Nub News sought information from Essex Police and Thurrock Council, with representatives of both organisations seen at the site.

We received the following response from Thurrock Council, which said: "Environmental Enforcement Officers (EEOs) and Police Officers from Essex Police were at the scene of a large fly-tip where an individual was arrested.

"All fly-tips are investigated and when evidence is found action is taken to hold those responsible to account. We do not comment on live investigations.

"The best way for people to report fly-tipping is through the council website at: thurrock.gov.uk/fly-tipping."

Essex Police said they could not find 'knowledge of the incident', adding: "As the council are the lead for fly-tipping, hopefully they will have some knowledge of this matter."

Yet today (Thursday, 4 April), Thurrock District police officers took to social media, in somewhat flippant tone, to publish pictures from the site and said: "Waste Not, Want Not!

The Thurrock Police facebook post.

"During our proactive patrols on Tuesday, 1 April, your eagle-eyed Neighbourhood Policing Team officers spotted a tipper-style lorry in a field.

"Knowing this vehicle had no business being there, officers decided they were too nosey to simply drive past.

"Upon closer inspection, officers found it was actively dumping waste into the field along A1013... Talk about a messy situation!

"And if that wasn't enough, just 20 metres away, they discovered approximately 15 truckloads of waste already dumped.

"The Kent man aged 41, was arrested on the scene for fly-tipping offences and we're working closely with Thurrock Council's Enforcement Team, to ensure justice is served.

"The vehicle was also seized for its role in this environmental crime."

Gates at the site were unlocked today.

Thurrock Nub News visited the site earlier today and it appears to be a significant and longstanding dumping ground, with many previous lorryloads of fly-tipping covered over by soil in what appears to be a carefully orchestrated operation.

The source of our original photographs and film has raised concern about the lack of seriousness both authorities have expressed about the incident.

Thurrock Nub News editor Neil Speight says: "Clearly this is a significant incident and, having visited the site myself, it would appear to be an organised and large-scale criminal operation. The lack of interest and flippancy from both Thurrock Council and Essex Police has been described as concerning by our informant and I thoroughly share that view."