Councils told to get 'aggressive' on fly-tipping

COUNCILS are expected to “get much more aggressive” against fly-tippers with proposed enhanced powers to seize and crush their vehicles, Environment Secretary Steve Reed said.

- SOPHIE WINGATE

Criminals caught transporting and dealing with waste illegally could also face five years behind bars under potential new legislation.

No extra money is to be made available for the planned crackdown on dumped rubbish, with cash-strapped local authorities to pay for it from existing budgets.

Mr Reed told reporters at a car-crushing plant in Wokingham, Berkshire: “Councils will get much more aggressive against fly-tippers and that includes using the latest technology, things like the new mobile CCTV cameras and drones to identify, track and then seize the vehicles that are being used for fly-tipping to a yard like this and crush them.