Bedford Borough Council is pleased to announce a major victory in its ongoing fight against environmental crime, with five individuals successfully prosecuted for fly-tipping related offences at Luton Magistrates Court on Friday 14 March, 2025. The offenders were collectively ordered to pay over £11,000 and now all have a criminal record as a result of their actions.
The cases highlight the Council's commitment to protecting the environment and holding offenders accountable for their actions. The successful prosecutions demonstrate the effectiveness of the Enviro-Crime Team's efforts to tackle fly-tipping, a serious issue affecting communities across Bedford Borough.
Details of the Cases:
Maurice Rogers of Bedford was ordered to pay £1,972 for failing to attend Council offices to answer questions about incidents of fly-tipped garden waste in Meadow Lane in August and December 2023, Bedford. He was found guilty in his absence of an offence under Section 110 of the Environment Act 1995.
Ian Knight of Marston Mortain was ordered to pay £4,760 after being caught on CCTV fly-tipping twice at Foster Hill Road Cemetery in June and October 2022. He pleaded guilty to two offences under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Visan Mirea, of Luton, was ordered to pay £1,680 after pleading guilty to fly-tipping a sofa in Walsingham Close, Bedford in April 2024. This was contrary to Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Daniel McAllister of Alfreton, Derbyshire, was ordered to pay £2,380 after admitting to fly-tipping garden waste twice in Meadow Lane, Bedford in December 2023, and failing to attend Council offices to answer questions about the waste. This was contrary to Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and Section 110 of the Environment Act 1995.
Randeep Sunda of Kempston was ordered to pay £680 after pleading guilty to failing to attend Council offices after his waste was found fly-tipped in Ravensden in January 2024. This was contrary to Section 110 of the Environment Act 1995.
Fly-tipping not only blights our communities and harms the environment, but it also poses serious health risks and costs taxpayers thousands of pounds each year to clean up. It can attract pests, create hazards, and undermine the beauty of our local landscapes. By choosing to dispose of waste responsibly, residents can help protect both their neighbourhoods and the environment.
Councillor Phillippa Martin-Moran-Bryant, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services, said; "These successful prosecutions send a clear message that fly-tipping will not be tolerated in Bedford Borough. We are committed to protecting our environment and ensuring that those responsible for these crimes face the consequences.
“I commend our Enviro-Crime Team for their dedication and the public for their support in helping us bring these offenders to justice. Together, we can keep our community clean and safe."
Residents can ensure their waste is disposed of legally by using licensed waste carriers. The Environment Agency's website provides a simple way to check if a waste carrier is registered: www.gov.uk/waste-carrier-or-broker-registration. This helps prevent fly-tipping and supports responsible waste management.
Residents are encouraged to report any incidents of fly-tipping via the Bedford Borough Council website at www.bedford.gov.uk/fly-tipping