Kent Cops Crack Down on Rogue Waste Carriers
Kent Police’s Rural Taskforce, teamed up with Dartford and Gravesham councils, launched a blitz on Tuesday 29 November 2022. Their target? Illegal waste carriers dumping rubbish and causing mayhem across the county.
Stolen Van Busted on A225
Patrols stopped a suspicious Ford Transit van near Horton Kirby. It was sporting false number plates. A check revealed it had been nicked from Leicester two months earlier. The two men inside – a 20-year-old from Kettering and a 22-year-old from Dartford – were hauled in for questioning. The younger suspect also faces accusations of burglaries and thefts in East Anglia.
Garden Waste Truck and Lorries Seized
- A garden waste truck on High Road, Dartford, was caught without a waste carrier’s licence. The driver received a fixed penalty, and the vehicle was seized for no road tax or MOT.
- A flatbed lorry hauling waste in Watling Street was also seized for being untaxed.
- Another offender in Devonshire Road got hit with a traffic offence report for driving an untaxed vehicle.
Police and Councils Warn of Fly-Tipping Dangers
Sergeant Darren Walshaw said: “Drivers hauling garden, household or building waste without a valid carrier’s licence are often behind fly-tipping. It blights communities, risks public safety, and costs a fortune to clear up.
“We’ll keep up these checks across north Kent. Waste carriers must have proper paperwork and roadworthy vehicles. Residents hiring tradespeople must ensure they’re licensed – or risk fines.”
Gravesham Borough Council’s Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox added: “We’re proud to work with Kent Police to root out environmental criminals in our borough.
“If you hire someone to clear your rubbish, check they have a waste carrier’s licence. Unlicensed carriers often dump your rubbish illegally – and that can land you with a fine.”
“Fly-tipping is a blight and we won’t tolerate it. Gravesham is a lovely place, and those who dump waste illegally should be ashamed. Since September 2020, our Environmental Enforcement Team has slapped down over 697 offences and backed up prosecutions in court.”
Council Leader Jeremy Kite said: “Operation Assist shows how local councils and Kent Police work hand in hand to fight fly-tipping and illegal waste carriers across Dartford’s town and countryside.
“This latest bust, including suspects from other parts of the UK, sends a clear message: your criminal waste business isn’t welcome here.”
