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Title: Zero-Tolerance Approach To Fly-Tipping Author: DMBC  ID & Publication: 20070611028 ~ The-Villager.co.uk  Area: Doncaster  Subject: Community News

As part of the PRIDE (Personal Responsibility in Doncaster’s Environment) campaign stop-and-search operations have been used to help catch fly-tippers. Using the latest vehicle registration recognition equipment, 15 vehicles were stopped and searched on the afternoon of Friday 15 June, and nine legal notices were issued to drivers to produce their Environment Agency license to transport waste.

This stop-and-search initiative is the latest in a series of zero-tolerance tactics aimed at eliminating environmental crime, including working with police helicopters to monitor fly tipping hot-spots, concealing advanced image recording systems and using a long lens digital camera to photograph fly-tippers from great distances.

Mayor Martin Winter said, ‘Fly-tipping in Doncaster ranges from household and builders' waste to asbestos and, in extreme cases, the dumping of harmful toxic chemicals. This is spoiling and endangering the environment for everyone.’

‘Doncaster residents ultimately pick up the massive bills associated with fly-tipping. It is costly to clean up, is a blight on our environment and we will pursue the people who are doing this.’

Doncaster Council is working closely with the police and the local community to catch and prosecute fly tippers. Earlier this year, the Council’s prosecution of Terry Hamill of Staveley Street, Edlington for illegally dumping rubbish highlighted its zero-tolerance approach. Although Hamill was fined £1000 for this fly-tipping offence, offenders can face fines of up to £20,000 or even be sent to prison.

Doncaster Council is calling on local residents to help catch fly-tippers by contacting the Council’s FLAG hotline on 01302 736050 with any information.

§ PRIDE was originally launched by Mayor Winter in 2004 as part of the campaign to have cleaner streets in Doncaster. Since that time the campaign has grown and now includes a special category in the annual Doncaster Discover the Spirit Awards. The renewed campaign includes a series of activities to raise awareness of some of the ways that we take pride in our environment.
§ The Fighting Litter, Abandoned cars and Graffiti (FLAG) team works with Council neighbourhood teams to clear up after fly-tippers, remove abandoned cars and remove graffiti.

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