The Environment Agency co-ordinated Operation Clean Sweep which has prevented the illegal disposal of 10 tonnes of construction waste, as well as the seizure of 3 vehicles.

Environment Agency staff joined forces for 2 days with our enforcement partners across Lincolnshire. This included officers from Lincolnshire Police, Boston Borough Council, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in multiagency Operation Clean Sweep.

On the 16 and 17 September 59 vehicles were stopped and checked to ensure they were operating correctly and had all necessary paperwork. The stop checks resulted in:

• the prevention of approximately 10 tonnes of construction being disposed of illegally
• 3 vehicles seized from drivers
• 14 DVSA prohibitions notices issued against vehicles
• 7 Fixed Penalty Notices (£300 each) issued to unlicensed waste carriers
• 1 on the spot fine of £550 issued for use of red diesel
• vehicles illegally carrying scrap metal, waste white goods, green waste and end of life vehicles were also stopped and follow up enquiries being made

Stop checks were first carried out in Boston as part of the Let’s SCRAP Fly-Tipping campaign.

As well as road stops an illegal waste site was visited to ensure it had complied with Environment Agency instructions to stop all illegal waste activity and burning. The instructions had been complied with and the area is now clear of illegal waste.

Several other business sites were also visited with partners. Advice and guidance was given by the Environment Agency to several carriers with follow up enquiries being made to ensure compliance.

The aim behind the planned action was to work with enforcement partners to gather intelligence and evidence and disrupt those believed to be involved in illegal waste activities.

Stuart Hoyle, waste crime engagement specialist for the Environment Agency in Lincolnshire, said:

Waste crime undermines legitimate business, can cause harm to the environment and misery for local people.

We are continuing to work with our enforcement partners in pursuing those committing illegal waste activities across Lincolnshire. We remain committed to the closure of illegal waste sites.

We urge anyone with information about waste crime to contact our hotline 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/pre-form.

Cllr Paul Skinner, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said:

The aim of Operation Clean Sweep was to disrupt fly-tipping and waste crime generally and as you can see from the figures this was a huge success.

I would like to thank all the partners involved as being able to work together was not only beneficial for the operation but forged relationships that will be advantageous for Boston Borough Council in the future.

These days of action followed on from an earlier Operation Clean Sweep that has previously taken place in West Lindsey and East Lindsey just before the Coronavirus pandemic and has restarted in Boston District.

When using a waste carrier people can avoid unlimited fines by following the SCRAP code:

• Suspect ALL waste carriers
• Check with the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 that the provider taking your waste away is licensed
• Refuse unexpected offers to have waste taken away
• Ask what will happen to your waste
• Paperwork should be obtained – get a full receipt