Legal News

A multi-agency operation involving The Environment Agency, Lincolnshire Police, Immigration Enforcement – and officers from other agencies – has helped the Environment Agency crack down on illegal waste carriers in Lincolnshire.

Officers stopped and checked vehicles on 30 September, in a bid to identify rogue traders like illegal waste carriers.

The operation targeted vehicle drivers who transport waste without the proper authorisation or written descriptions of waste.

Environmental crime officers also checked whether carriers were transporting waste to authorised and legitimate sites, where it would be handled properly.

Officers carried out 46 vehicle checks – out of which 13 vehicles were carrying waste as part of their business.

They offered advice to six of the drivers stopped, including advice on the need to carry the correct registration and transfer notes.

Anyone disposing of waste has a Duty of Care to ensure waste is managed and disposed of correctly by the people they give it to, to protect the environment from the effects of waste being dumped, including pollution.

Waste being transported with no authorisations is likely to end-up at unregulated sites, says the Environment Agency.

Such sites store waste in vast quantities and for long periods of time – posing significant risks to health and the environment, including fires which could lead to water and land contamination, as well as air pollution from smoke.

The Environment Agency says that Illegal waste sites are also often the reason for odour and fly complaints.

The agency adds that those who manage waste illegally do not invest in appropriate safeguards – and also undercut legitimate businesses, as well as posing a direct threat to sustainable growth in the waste management sector.

The Environment Agency is asking the public to inform them of any illegal waste carriers’ activities – reports can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Senior Environmental Crime Officer Helen Silk said:

“The Environment Agency wants to make sure businesses carrying waste have the proper authorisations to allow them to transport and transfer waste –
a waste carrier’s registration from the Environment Agency and waste transfer note from the waste producer.”

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors – Environmental Crimes

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge both companies and sole traders facing charges involving environmental crimes – such as dumping waste, pollution or managing waste illegally.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can advise at the start of an investigation into environmental crimes before charges are brought – or at interview with a prosecuting authority.

For expert legal advice on environmental crime, call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036.