'We have zero tolerance for fly-tipping in Leeds': Two vans seized in fly-tipping crackdown
Authorities are cracking down on fly-tipping in Leeds
Two vans suspected of being used for fly-tipping have been seized by authorities as part of a crackdown on environmental crime across Leeds.
The vehicles were confiscated in the Harehills area by Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Police this week following two separate investigations led by the council’s specialist serious environmental crime team.
The vans are now being held while investigations continue. Under environmental legislation, councils have the power to seize vehicles suspected of being involved in fly-tipping offences.
If the vehicles go unclaimed or are ordered forfeited by the courts, they may be sold or destroyed.
Leeds City Council's executive member for environment, Councillor James Gibson, said he hopes the seizures send a clear message to fly-tippers in the city.
He said: “The latest vehicle seizures demonstrate that Leeds is continuing to take robust action against environmental crime and targeting those responsible wherever they operate.
“We are grateful to all of our partners involved in these investigations, and hope these seizures send a clear message to fly-tippers - you will be found and prosecuted; we have zero tolerance for fly-tipping in Leeds.”
Cllr Gibson also issued a warning to residents about their responsibility when arranging for waste to be removed from their homes.
“It’s also important to remind everyone in the city if you are looking to hire a company to take away your waste, you have a responsibility to check the company you are using are registered as waste carriers with the Environment Agency otherwise you may be liable to being prosecuted too,” he warned.
To help residents avoid rogue operators, the council provides a public list of trusted and compliant waste carriers operating throughout the city.
The Leeds Accredited Waste Carrier Scheme can be found here.