News MBC Waste Crime team seize vehicle in joint Police op

A vehicle was seized on Tuesday evening (16 August) in connection with a fly tip of 14 carrier bags containing empty food packaging which had been dumped in a lay by on Yelsted Lane in June.

It was part of a joint operation with Maidstone Borough Council’s Waste Crime Team and Kent Police’s Rural Task Force. The teams work together and regularly carry out joint operations to tackle fly tipping and people who illegally carry waste.

CCTV images picked up the activity and the vehicle was placed on the target list until there was availability for a joint operation with Kent Police.

Cllr Lottie Parfitt-Reid, Lead Member for Communities and Public Engagement at Maidstone Borough Council said:

“These joint operations are incredibly worthwhile and this particular incident demonstrates that people may think they have got away with illegally dumping their waste; however it may just take some time for the appropriate action to be taken, so watch out!”

Since holding these joint operations The Waste Crime team have seen a decline in the number of illegal waste carriers operating in Maidstone, due to the work of the Team and partner agencies in tackling waste offenders.

Lottie continues:

“One of our key targets is to keep Maidstone as an attractive and clean place for all. We want to protect and where possible enhance our environment so we take a zero tolerance approach to flytipping and will issue fixed penalty notices or prosecute where we can. In this instance a Fixed Penalty Notice is going to be issued.”

To report a fly tip or any waste dumped anywhere in the borough visit: https://maidstone.gov.uk/home/primary-services/street-care-and-cleaning

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