£300 fines issued

Maidstone Borough Council’s Waste Crime Team and Kent Police have joined forces once again for Operation Assist, part of the Council’s ongoing “Don’t Mess with Maidstone” campaign to tackle fly-tipping and waste crime.

The operation, which took place on Thursday, 6 November, saw officers from the Waste Crime Team working alongside Maidstone’s Community Safety Unit to crack down on suspected fly-tippers.

In Bredhurst Woods, a commercial operator was stopped and issued a £300 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for failing to provide a waste transfer note. The officers also noted burning waste at the site, which is being treated as a separate offence.

Next, a vehicle carrying scrap and waste metal in Thurnham was stopped by the team. The driver received a £300 FPN for not having a valid waste carrier’s licence and no waste transfer note. Kent Police also dealt with the driver for driving while disqualified and having a bald tyre.

A stop check in Pearsons Green Road, Brenchley, resulted in another £300 fine being issued after a vehicle transporting scrap metal was stopped and failed to produce a waste transfer note.

Operation Assist is a regular initiative aimed at identifying and prosecuting those who flout waste disposal laws. Previous operations have led to vehicle seizures and multiple enforcement actions.

Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Enforcement, Councillor Clive English: “Fly-tipping and illegal waste disposal are serious crimes that harm our environment and community. Through Operation Assist, we are sending a clear message - don’t mess with Maidstone.”

For more information on the Don’t Mess with Maidstone campaign and previous enforcement successes, visit MBC’s website.

Source: Maidstone District Council
Picture credit: The Digital Artist