Dumped waste hits culprit in the wallet

Cardboard boxes filled with rubbish left in a lay-by near Grantham have cost the culprit a £1,000 fixed penalty notice after South Kesteven District Council tracked them down.

It was reported in to the Council by a member of the public – and an appeal has gone out for residents to be vigilant, both in reporting dumped waste and for when they choose a private operator to take away their refuse.

South Kesteven District Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, Cllr Rhys Baker, said: “Dumped waste like this is criminal. It is antisocial behaviour, ruins our countryside and costs the taxpayer every time it happens.

“I’m very grateful to the passer-by that reported this event. SKDC has a zero tolerance approach to fly tipping and we need our communities to help us stamp it out.

“You can report anything suspicious to the council to help us build evidence for a prosecution. This evidence is the most important thing because without it we cannot fine the criminals responsible.

“We know that prosecutions have an impact. They tell these criminals we will not let them pollute our countryside.”

The Fixed Penalty in this instance was reduced to £500 for prompt payment.

Anyone who spots an illegal tip should report it online at http://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/flytipping or call us on 01476 406080 so that the Council can get to work and investigate at the earliest opportunity.

The Council may then issue a penalty if the identified person admits responsibility; can ask them to be a witness to someone else’s poor behaviour; or take no further action.

The sanction is a fixed penalty notice of £1,000, reduced to £500 if paid within 14 days.

For more serious instances regarding the size or make-up of tipped waste, including hazardous materials, partners organisations such as the police or environment agency may be invited to assist.

Cllr Baker added: “If someone is offering you a price to that is too good to be true, it probably is. It is easy to check that private waste carriers are legal and registered, and the good carriers will want you to check. You can visit https://bit.ly/check-waste-carrier or call the Environment Agency on 03708 506506 to make sure.”