STOLEN property including motorbikes has been recovered following a joint operation between Thurrock Council Environmental Enforcement Officers, Trading Standards and Essex Police to search waste.

It was being stored in containers on a site in Aveley. Officers searched 89 containers at the site of the former London Fire Brigade Social Club on Purfleet Road.

The authorites reacted after following concerns that an unlicensed waste storage site was operating there. During their search they found five stolen motorbikes, one stolen moped and three containers of suspected unsafe, possibly stolen, goods.

The motorbikes and moped have been recovered by Essex Police while the unsafe goods will be investigated further by Thurrock Council's Trading Standards team.

The operators of the site have been issued with a fixed penalty notice for waste offences and two notices to provide documents to show correct disposal of waste. One man was also arrested on a court warrant.

Thurrock Council leader and cabinet member for public protection and anti-social behaviour, Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: "This is yet another example of how close working between Thurrock Council and Essex Police is having real results in putting a stop to criminal behaviour.

"Initially officers attended the site over concerns about improper waste storage but a thorough search found evidence of other criminal activity including stolen motorbikes and containers of stolen goods.

One of the containers

"This search took place because of information received from residents. It shows how important it is that issues like this are reported to the council and police. We know residents do not want to tolerate criminality in their communities, making sure that we and the police have the intelligence to tackle it is a key way to bring wrongdoers to justice and halt their illegal activities.

"We will continue with these operations and will ensure that those who think they can flout the law in Thurrock are brought to justice."

Any resident who suspects that premises are being used for illegal activity can either contact the Police by calling 101, reporting it online using Essex Police's Digital 101 service, or reporting it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Recovered material included bikes.