WATCH: 20-ton tipper truck crushed after illegal dumping
A 20-ton tipper lorry linked to illegal waste dumping has been seized and crushed by the authorities.
The vehicle was detained by officers last year after months of surveillance as part of an investigation into 28 incidents of large-scale illegal dumping of commercial waste across the West Midlands and Staffordshire.
A prohibition notice was served and the vehicle removed from the road after it was found to be using trade plates illegally and deemed to be unsafe.
The driver and passenger were quizzed by the police.
WATCH the truck get crushed:
The lorry was used to transport and dump large quantities of shredded household commercial waste, varying between 30 and 500 tons, on farmland, private wooded estates, secluded public footpath areas and business compound.
Secured areas were broken into and locks replaced by the offenders.
The investigation was a joint operation by the Environment Agency and the police.
EA officers have since reported a reduction in illegal waste activity in the area since the lorry was seized.
West Midlands area director Mike Grimes said: “This is the second vehicle destroyed this week that has been taken as part of Environment Agency enforcement action.
The seizure of these vehicles give a clear message that the we take waste crime seriously and will persistently pursue those suspected of illegally dumping waste.
“We’re making good progress to tackle waste crime. Our enforcement action is resulting in higher fines and custodial sentences.
In the past two weeks, prosecutions in West Midlands have resulted in a 26-month jail term for one waste criminal and a 200 hour community service order for another."
He said the recent £30 million funding from the government and new powers to tackle problematic sites, including the authority to lock up sites and force rogue operators out of business, have put them in a better position.
It led last year to the Environment Agency closing down two illegal waste sites every day.
Gill Heath, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for communities, said it took the authority three days to remove about 175 tons of rubbish from a car park and footpath.
"So I’m delighted that a vehicle involved in that crime is being taken off the road permanently," she said.
“Dumping commercial waste has the potential to harm people and the environment, causes a great deal of trouble for the victims and it’s extremely frustrating that public bodies have to spend taxpayers’ money cleaning up a crime.”
Members of the public can report illegal waste activity anomalously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
