Rural Crime Team join forces to target criminals
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Cheshire Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team joined forces to target criminals in a day-long operation in Bowdon.
On Friday 22 September the team was joined at the Bowdon interchange off the A556 by the specialist Regional Commercial Vehicle Unit, the Motorcycle Unit, the DVSA, and Environment Agency to tackle waste crime.
Everything from small commercial carriers to large HGVs were stopped to check if they were transporting waste, and if they had the necessary licences and paperwork to do so.
The operation is in response to a rise in fly tipping in and around the county including the large fly tipping incident in Eaton, Congleton.
On the day the teams stopped 32 vehicles including overweight vehicles.
Officers fined 34 people for a number of offences including overweight vehicles, illegal tyres and not adhering to driver hours.
PC Peter Moss from Cheshire’s Rural Crime Team, said:
“We have been working with colleagues in other agencies to tackle the fly tipping in rural areas which is causing a misery to residents and farmers alike.
“There are a number of unscrupulous people out there who say they have a license to get rid of waste but have no intention of doing things correctly, often charging bargain prices to get rid of your rubbish, only for it to end up in a farmers field or layby, which is a blight on the rural community.
“You can do your bit by making sure you use a legitimate waste removal company, don’t be tempted by the cheap prices – if the waste is tracked down to you, what started off as a bargain could end up as a hefty fine, even if you weren’t the one to dump the rubbish in that layby or field entrance.
“Today’s operation highlighted the fact we are working together to deter these types of crime and goes as a warning to those intent on flouting the law that we’re onto you.”
Sgt Matthew Picton from the North West Commercial Vehicle Unit said:
“We conducted Operation Permits to tackle those who are using the regions roads to transport illegal waste. Sadly, far too many vehicles we stopped today had issues and a lot of fines were handed out. We want people who use our roads to do so safely and get to their destination without incident. Operations like this highlight the dangers that are out there. There is no excuse for those who put other in danger. We will be out every day enforcing these kind of offences.”
John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, added:
“I want to commend the work of Cheshire Police and the other organisations on this successful operation. I’m regularly hearing about fly tipping from residents across the county who are being impacted far too often by this behaviour.
“Not many people are aware that they can be fined up to £5,000 if illegally dumped waste is traced back to you. There are three simple questions you can ask to ensure whoever you employ to remove your waste has the correct paperwork to do so.
“Asking the official company name, the person’s waste permit number and asking if they can provide a waste transfer note can reduce the risk of you being on the wrong side of the law. Don’t be caught out and enable those who are considering fly tipping as a way to profit from crime.”