Town issues first £1,000 fine for fly-tipping

A fly-tipper in Barnsley has been issued with the town's first £1,000 fine for the offence - and had their van crushed.

The crackdown follows a recent increase in maximum fines included in the council’s Environmental Crime and Litter Plan in a bid to tackle the problem.

Councillor James Higginbottom, Barnsley Council's cabinet member for highways and environment, said: “There is no excuse for dumping your waste in our public space.”

Reports of the fly-tipped waste on Ben Bank Road in Dodworth came from a local resident and led to Barnsley Council Neighbourhood Wardens being able to seize a Ford Transit tipper van in Sheffield and identify a suspect.

After being interviewed under caution, the suspect was issued with a £300 fine for not having the correct waste carrier’s licence and a further £1,000 for suspected fly-tipping.

Barnsley Council's Litter and Environmental Crime Plan, which was co-produced with community members and volunteers, increased the maximum penalty for fly-tippers from £400 to £1,000.

The offender’s vehicle was also crushed after no legitimate keeper was found.

Mr Higginbottom said legal options were available for disposing of waste.

“It is unacceptable that individuals take it upon themselves to blight our local areas with fly-tipping," he added.

"The council provides a competitive rate to pick up even bulk items so there are no excuses."

Martin Gammitt, the team leader for Barnsley Neighbourhood Wardens, said: "Fly-tipping is a national problem and still on the up.

"We hope with every fine we issue and vehicle we seize, it will put people off.”