"In 2007, some rogue fly-tipping idiots were sent to prison by local authorities for a crime they did commit. These men were eventually released and may be responsible for the continuing incidents of such crime in the Calderdale area. Today, still wanted by local government, the fly-tippers continue to operate as soldiers of filth. If you have a fly-tipping problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire… The Fly Team." De de de, de de de…
Okay, it’s not quite that exciting, but a new plan has come together between police and environmental health in Calderdale, who are out to rid the area of it’s major fly-tipping problem.
PC Paul Saxby and Environmental Health Officer, Dave Dunbar, are patrolling the streets in a new monthly operation – catching out the fly-tippers and administering the full force of the law with a zero-tolerance approach to stamping out the problem.
Mr Dunbar says: “We have big problems with this in Calderdale and it's absolutely disgusting. It brings the area down - it attracts rats and rodents, and it's totally unnecessary.”
During random spot-checks, the council will be stopping any vehicle they suspect of carrying waste illegally and will issue a £300 fine to anyone who fails to prove that they are legitimately carrying waste and not intending to fly-tip. Refusal to pay up could then lead to a court fine of £5,000.
Mr Dunbar explained: “Businesses need a licence to carry waste, and that is what we will be asking for when we stop vehicles. If they cannot produce a licence within seven days they are breaking the law and we will prosecute because we're determined to crack down on offenders.”
