An Environment Agency waste crime operation in Lincolnshire has led to Boston Borough Council issuing six £300 fines and Lincolnshire Police issuing seven fines.
Operation Clean Sweep was a multi-agency operation led by the Environment Agency and involved Lincolnshire Police, British Transport Police, Boston Borough Council, East Lindsey District Council, and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
The operation took place on Thursday 6 March and involved roadside inspections in Boston and site visits in Skegness conducted by the Lincolnshire Environmental Crime Partnership.
Teams conducted roadside stops and inspections of vehicles capable of carrying waste, with 25 vehicles inspected in total.
Of the six vehicles found carrying waste, five were doing so unlawfully. The Environment Agency said some had no explanation for their final destination, while two were carrying hazardous waste insecurely.
Two waste sites were visited in Skegness with one site found to be breaching scrap metal legislation designed to prevent metal theft and the other identified as an illegal waste site.
Stuart Hoyle, Environment Agency Waste Crime Specialist, commented: “Large-scale waste crime and fly-tipping can only happen through the use of vehicles, which is why operations such as Clean Sweep are vital for tackling waste crime.
“Last week’s operation uncovered crime, prevented offences and gathered a wealth of intelligence to aid future investigations.”
Callum Butler, Environmental Portfolio Holder at Boston Borough Council, said tackling waste crime is a “priority” for the borough.
