Bromley Council has seized two Ford Transit tipper trucks suspected of fly-tipping, continuing its crackdown on waste crime in the borough. The vehicles were confiscated under powers granted by the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and may be crushed if owners do not reclaim them.
Seizures in Sidcup and St Mary Cray
One truck was seized on Old Maidstone Road in Sidcup, while the other was taken on Barnfield Road in St Mary Cray. Both vehicles are Ford Transit tippers, a type commonly used for waste disposal. The council said the seizures were part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal dumping and hold offenders accountable.
Over the past six months, Bromley Council has seized nine vehicles and crushed 11 linked to fly-tipping activity. The latest seizures bring the total number of confiscated vehicles to 11, with two more awaiting potential crushing.
Council Warns Fly-Tipping Is Not Victimless
A spokesperson for Bromley Council said: "Tipper trucks can be used to generate large profits by being used to dispose of large volumes of waste, with fly-tipping seen by some as highly commercially profitable." They added: "But fly-tipping is not a victimless crime. It damages the environment, creates hazards on roads and country lanes, and blights local communities."
The council emphasized that vehicles suspected of being used in fly-tipping "can and will be seized." The seizures were made using powers under Sections 33, 34, and 34B of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which relate to the illegal depositing of waste.
Owners Can Reclaim Vehicles, But Crushing Looms
Vehicle owners may reclaim the trucks by providing the necessary documentation. However, if the vehicles are not claimed, they may be crushed. The council has not specified a deadline for reclaiming the vehicles.
Fly-tipping remains a major issue in the borough, with illegally dumped waste posing environmental and safety risks to residents and road users, particularly when waste is dumped on roads, country lanes, and other public spaces.
Residents Urged to Use Registered Waste Carriers
The council is urging residents and businesses to ensure that anyone they pay to remove waste is a registered waste carrier. Businesses are also reminded of their legal duty of care to dispose of waste responsibly.
Residents can help by checking that anyone they pay to remove waste is a registered waste carrier. "A few simple precautions can help prevent waste from ending up dumped in our neighbourhoods," the spokesperson added.
Anyone with information about fly-tipping or other environmental offences is encouraged to report it to the council. Reports can be made through the council's website, and rewards of up to £500 are available for information that leads to a prosecution. Households needing to dispose of bulky items can use the Churchfields Road Reuse and Recycling Centre, the Weekend Reuse and Recycling Centre on Baths Road, or book a collection through the council's website.
