Bedford Borough Council is urging residents to be vigilant and report any instances of fly-tipping. The Council remains committed to tackling environmental crime and has once again achieved a successful prosecution against a fly-tipper.
Michael Steward from Kempston was fined a total of £5,640 after being caught on CCTV fly-tipping garden clearance waste in a lay-by near Wootton. Steward, who was a registered waste carrier at the time, was caught red-handed dumping three large sacks of waste in the layby.
The Council's Enviro Crime team diligently investigated the incident, tracing the vehicle used by the perpetrator. Steward subsequently admitted to the crime and was prosecuted in court.
At Luton Magistrates Court, Steward pleaded guilty to all charges and was ordered to pay the substantial fine, costs, and a victim surcharge.
Councillor Phillippa Martin-Moran-Bryant, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services, said, "Fly-tipping is a blight on our communities and a serious environmental crime. We take all reports of fly-tipping seriously and will investigate and prosecute offenders where possible.
“I encourage residents to report any incidents to the Council so we can continue to take action against those who are responsible."
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 urging residents who see fly-tipping to report it online at www.bedford.gov.uk/Fly-tipping.
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.
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.
With regard to commercial waste Bedford Borough Council also offer regular collections, one off bulky collections and accept commercial waste at the Household Waste Recycling Centre on Barkers Lane. Learn more at www.bedford.gov.uk/CommercialServices.