Three more in court for littering and fly-tipping

Another three offenders have been prosecuted after failing to pay fixed penalty fines for littering and fly tipping.

Natalie Shepherd was originally given fixed penalty notices for littering offences that had been committed in October 2021 on Myrtle Street, Bury, the street where she lived.

But, as she did not pay the fines, she was prosecuted. At Manchester Magistrates Court on 12 August, she was fined £80 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £43 and costs of £286.

At the same session, Richard Bates of Chapelfield, Radcliffe was prosecuted for fly-tipping in July 2021 on Belmont Road, Radcliffe. He had originally been given a £400 fixed penalty notice after a member of the public saw him fly-tipping waste from a van, but he did not pay it. Magistrates fined him £480 and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £48 and costs of £1,004.

A further two offenders failed to attend court that day for fly-tipping offences and warrants have been issued by the courts.

A third offender, Nina Kicova of Seymore Court, Radcliffe appeared before the magistrates on 26 August. She had previously been given a fixed penalty notice for littering behind Sillett’s Funeral Service in Radcliffe, but did not pay. The court fined her £200, plus a victim surcharge of £34 and costs of £200.

Fly-tipping carries a maximum fine of £50,000 in the magistrates’ courts, and the maximum fine for littering is £2,500.

Councillor Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, climate change and operations, said: “People are sick to death of fly-tipping. It’s a blot on the landscape, and costs council tax payers money to have it cleared up.

“Since we took on two new enforcement officers, the council has issued 72 fines for fly-tipping and littering and commercial duty of care, and a further four cases are awaiting trial. We’re not stopping - we will continue to take action against those who spoil our neighbourhoods.”

Cllr Quinn added that there had been a noticeable increase in advertisements on social media for unlicensed waste removal services.

“Every individual and business has a duty of care to ensure they correctly dispose of their waste,” he said, “and many unsuspecting householders are being caught out by these rogue traders, drawn by their attractive low rates compared to legitimate operators.

“I urge residents to check their credentials before using them and remind the public that officers now have the power to issue £400 fixed penalty notices on householders who fail in their duty of care.”

Residents should ask any waste carrier for their address and telephone number, their waste carrier licence, and ask where their waste will be taken to. You can carry out an instant (and free) check of their credentials via the Environment Agency: https://environment.data.gov.uk/publicregister/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers

There are 21 recycling centres in Greater Manchester where residents can take their waste free of charge for disposal. Details:

https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=10838

ENDS

Press release issued: 2 September 2022.