Wiltshire Police and council join forces to fight fly-tipping

Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Police worked together on the operation to tackle fly-tipping

Vehicles carrying waste and scrap metal have been targeted as part of a crackdown on fly-tipping.

Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Police worked together on a stop and search operation to fight environmental crime.

Seven of the eight vehicles stopped by the teams had a waste carrier's licence but one did not have a valid licence and an investigation has been launched.

Caroline Thomas, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for transport, said more operations are being planned.

She added: "This is a great example of joint partnership working with Wiltshire Police and I would like to thank them for their willingness to assist our enforcement officers.

"We take fly-tipping and illegal scrap metal dealing very seriously... and working with Wiltshire Police, we are cracking down on this criminal activity, which is harming the environment."

Wiltshire Council environmental enforcement officers and police officers from Royal Wootton Bassett worked on the operation aimed at tackling fly-tipping and illegal scrap metal dealing.

Penalties for fly-tipping range from a £400 fine for small-scale incidents, up to a £50,000 fine and even a prison sentence of up to five years in more serious cases.