Bedford Borough Council’s Environment Crime team has achieved a number of successful prosecutions at Luton Magistrates Court this July, reinforcing the Council’s determination to tackle fly-tipping and protect the local environment.
Sevdalina Todorova of Bedford was ordered to pay a total of £1,764, including fines, costs, and a victim surcharge after being found guilty in her absence for failing to attend Council offices to answer questions regarding waste illegally dumped in Battison Street. Despite being issued a formal Notice to attend, Todorova did not cooperate with the Council's investigation, leading to court action.
In another case, Ellies Coffee Shop, located on Bedford’s High Street, was fined £3,840 after pleading guilty to failing to dispose of their business waste correctly. Waste connected to the café was found dumped at several sites near Stagsden following public reports to the Council. Although the business director admitted to paying individuals to remove the café’s waste, he would not disclose their identities, preventing further investigation.
La Pinata Ltd of St Cuthbert's Street was also fined, with a total amount of £2,190, after admitting to fly-tipping and failing to properly manage commercial waste. Following complaints about commercial waste being placed in domestic bins in Rush Court, the Council’s Enviro-crime team identified La Pinata as responsible. The business lacked any commercial waste collection arrangements and did not pay the Fixed Penalty Notice issued by the Council, resulting in prosecution.
Additionally, Daniel Dadhria, Director of Optimum Motor Contracts Ltd, was ordered to pay £2,446 after pleading guilty to offences including fly-tipping, improper disposal of business waste, and failing to cooperate with the Council’s investigation. Waste linked to his company was discovered near Aspley Road, Bedford, and despite attempts by the Council to contact him, he did not assist with the inquiry.
These prosecutions relate to serious breaches of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Environment Act 1995, laws designed to protect public health and the environment by holding offenders accountable for illegal waste disposal.
Councillor Phillippa Martin-Moran-Bryant, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services, commented, "Fly-tipping is a blight on our communities and a serious environmental crime that we will not tolerate in Bedford Borough. These prosecutions send a strong message that those responsible for illegally dumping waste will be held accountable.
“I urge all residents and businesses to dispose of their waste responsibly and report any fly-tipping they witness. Together, we can protect our environment and keep Bedford clean and safe."
The Council encourages residents to report any incidents of fly-tipping and help the Enviro-crime team to take swift action and bring offenders to justice, at www.bedford.gov.uk/fly-tipping
Bedford Borough Council provide competitive rates for waste and recycling, cleansing and grounds maintenance services. More information can be found at www.bedford.gov.uk/commercialservices