In the latest success of Bedford Borough Council’s campaign against environmental crime, an offender has been prosecuted and fined £1,694 after his waste was found fly-tipped in Wootton.
In July 2022, the Bedford Borough Council Enviro Crime team responded to a report of fly-tipping in an entrance to a field in Hall End Road, Wootton. During a search of the waste, items were found connecting it to Michael Cawley of Renfrew Walk, Coventry. It was requested that he attend an interview under caution but he did not. He instead told officers that he had sold his van with the fly-tipped waste in it.
Officers then served a notice under Section 108 of the Environment Act requiring further information about who the vehicle was sold to. When the offender did not respond to the notice, or provide any further help to the Council with its enquires, the matter was brought before the courts.
Michael Cawley was ordered to pay a £660 fine, £770 costs and a £264 victim surcharge at Luton Magistrates Court on 28 July 2023. He failed to attend court and was found guilty in his absence of obstructing the Council’s investigation.
Councillor Jim Weir, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Highways and Transport, said, “Our teams and volunteers work really hard to keep Bedford Borough safe, clean and looking its best. Fly-tipped waste poses a risk to pets and wildlife and can attract vermin such as rats, further to this, the money spent on cleaning up after people that choose to fly-tip could be much better used elsewhere.
“I would like to thank the community, along with Council staff, for their help in reporting fly-tipping when they see it, enabling our Enviro Crime team to investigate and arrange for the waste to be removed.”
Local residents are encouraged to make the Council aware of any fly-tipping they see by reporting it as soon as they can. This enables the team to clear the waste and give officers the best chance of catching those who have committed the crime. The Council is also encouraging local residents to help identify individuals caught fly-tipping on camera. These images can be seen at www.bedford.gov.uk/caughtoncamera.
Fly-tipping is the illegal disposal of waste on land that doesn't have a licence to accept it. This includes leaving rubbish next to a litter bin. The Council is urging residents who see fly-tipping to report it online at www.bedford.gov.uk/fly-tipping.
If residents have extra waste, that does not fit in their domestic bins, they can take it to the Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Barkers Lane, Bedford, or arrange for a licensed waste carrier to collect it. For information about the Household Waste and Recycling Centre residents can visit www.bedford.gov.uk/hwrc.
Bedford Borough Council also provides a service for the collection of bulky waste that is too large for regular household waste and recycling collections. Details and charges can be found at www.bedford.gov.uk/bulkywaste.