Crime Solicitors

A car park in Walthamstow, north-east London, has been turned into a dumping ground by fly tippers. Several businesses from across London and the south-east are under investigation and could face prosecution after refuse teams spent a week clearing the rubbish from the site.

Builder’s rubble, asbestos, glass and crucially, restaurant waste - including menus identifying the businesses involved - were among the rubbish cleared from the South Grove car park in Walthamstow.

The clean-up is estimated to have cost Waltham Forest Council £50,000, with Deputy council leader, Clyde Loakes declaring,

“This is one of the worst incidents we have seen in Waltham Forest – an entire car park, covered in all kinds of business and household waste.”

Fly tipping is a serious crime and penalties can result in a fine of up to £50,000 and in some cases imprisonment.

It is suspected that businesses had been hiring rogue traders and bin men to remove their rubbish in an attempt to cut corners and avoid taking the more costly, legal option to dispose of their waste.

Councillor Loakes made the council’s view clear, saying;

“If you run a business, you have to know how your trade waste is going to be disposed. It’s as simple as that. It’s no good cutting corners to try and save a few quid – we will investigate”

Loakes went on to thank the clean-up team for their efforts and to warn those responsible that the council would be:

“…committed to tracking you down and we will always seek the maximum penalties.”

The land is owned by the London and Quadrant Group who contacted the council for help and will be responsible for the costs for the clean-up. It is currently unclear how long the rubbish had been dumped in the car park and this will undoubtedly raise many questions within the local community.

Duncan Lewis Crime Solicitors

Duncan Lewis crime solicitors can advise companies and individuals at any stage of an environmental offence, including charges relating to polluting watercourses, fisheries offences, fly tipping, waste carrier offences, failing to manage hazardous waste, air pollution, noise pollution, or misuse of permitted land.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and in most major cities – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can advise at the start of an investigation by the Environment Agency or local authority and before charges are brought.

For expert legal advice on all environmental offences, call Duncan Lewis crime solicitors on 0333 772 0409.