Kent Police Crack Down on Illegal Waste Carriers and Fly-Tippers
Kent Police’s Rural Taskforce teamed up with Dartford and Gravesham councils on Tuesday 29 November 2022 to target criminals illegally carrying and dumping waste across north Kent.
Stolen Van and False Plates Nabbed Near Horton Kirby
The operation stopped a Ford Transit van on the A225 near Horton Kirby. Officers discovered the van wore false number plates and traced it back to a theft in Leicester two months earlier. Two men – a 20-year-old from Kettering and a 22-year-old from Dartford – were arrested on suspicion of stealing the vehicle. The younger man also faces allegations linked to burglaries and thefts across East Anglia.
Unlicensed Waste Haulers Busted Across Dartford
- A truck carrying garden waste was stopped on High Road, Dartford. The driver was slapped with a fixed penalty for lacking a waste carrier’s licence. The vehicle was seized — it had no road tax or MOT.
- A flatbed lorry hauling waste on Watling Street was seized for being untaxed.
- Another driver on Devonshire Road was reported for failing to tax his vehicle.
Officials Warn Against Illegal Waste Disposal
“Those removing garden, household, and building waste without a valid carrier’s licence are likely involved in fly-tipping,” said Sergeant Darren Walshaw. “This damages communities, risks public safety, and costs a fortune to clear up.”
“We will keep up these checks in north Kent. Anyone dealing with waste must have the right paperwork and roadworthy vehicles. Residents hiring tradespeople should also verify their waste carrier licences.”
Gravesham Council’s Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox added: “We’re proud to work with Kent Police to catch and prosecute environmental criminals. If you hire someone to remove rubbish, make sure they have a waste carrier’s licence. Without it, they might fly-tip your waste — leaving you liable for fines.”
“Fly-tipping is unacceptable here. Gravesham is a beautiful place, and those responsible should be ashamed. Our Environmental Enforcement Team has issued over 697 enforcements since 2020, including court actions, and we won’t stop.”
Council Leader Jeremy Kite said: “Operation Assist is a strong partnership combating fly-tipping and illegal waste carriers across Dartford. Catching suspected criminals from other regions sends a clear message: illegal dumping won’t be tolerated here.”
