Arrest made after men caught fly-tipping

The rubbish was put back in the van to be disposed of properly, police said

A man was arrested after police were called to a fly-tipping that was in progress at a a farm.

Police said two men were "disturbed depositing waste and had made off" at about 16:00 BST on Tuesday on land in the east Hertfordshire district.

Officers seized a van left at the scene and said the waste was put back in the vehicle to be "properly disposed of".

Hertfordshire Police said a 28-year-old man from High Cross, close to Ware, was quickly tracked down and was subsequently given a community resolution order.

The force said the suspect was traced because of "shrewd investigative work".

"This is a great example of how police are working with the rural community to identify fly-tippers and make arrests," said Sgt David Miller.

"Fly-tipping has a hugely detrimental effect on our hard-working farmers and we will continue to pursue these criminals and take action."

The National Farmers Union said it worked closely with the police, local councils and the Environment Agency to reduce fly-tipping

The man was arrested on suspicion of depositing or knowingly causing or knowingly permitting waste to be in or on land unless in accordance with the terms of a waste management licence, under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

He was also arrested on suspicion of being in possession of Class A and Class B drugs following a search of his address.

He admitted all offences.

A community resolution order is an alternative form of justice, dealt with outside of court. The guilty parties can be forced to apologise to victims or carry out actions agreed with the victim.

Josh Redford, from Hertfordshire Farmers' Union, said: "Fly-tipping blights the countryside, damages the environment and, with farmers and landowners often legally responsible for removing the rubbish, despite being the victim of the crime, the clear-up costs the industry, nationally, tens of millions of pounds a year.

"We will continue to work with these organisations to stand up for our members and ensure those responsible are brought to justice."

The owner of the van was traced but was not involved in the incident, police added.