A festive message is issued to fly-tippers

E n fo rc e m e nt o f f i c e r s i n County Durham are warning fly-tippers that they risk being without their vehicles over the Christmas period.

The message has been issued after a number of vehicles found to have been used in such incidents were taken off their owners for good.

Neighbourhood wardens from Durham County Council seized four vehicles as part of Operation Stop It, which aims to educate people on the need to dispose of waste safely and prosecute those responsible for fly-tipping.

One vehicle found to have been used in a fly-tipping incident was sold at auction, while two that were no longer roadworthy were crushed. Another vehicle found abandoned and similarly no longer roadworthy was also crushed.

The crushing of the vehicles took place at North East Motor Salvage near Peterlee on the council’s behalf.

The maximum fine for fly-tipping can be as much as £50,000.

Ian Hoult, the council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “This is the sort of thing that can happen if you are caught fly-tipping with your vehicle. We will take them away from you, we will look to seize them and we will look to sell them at auction or, if they are not roadworthy, crush them.

“O p e rat i o n Sto p It h a s been going for some time now – our residents tell us on an on-going basis that it is an issue for their areas and it is really important that we continue to tackle it.”

Incidents of fly-tipping can be reported at doitonline. durham.gov.uk

Residents are advised not to employ anyone to take unwanted waste away without checking to see a registered waste carrier licence.