Two more successful prosecutions for littering and fly tipping

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

And there could be more to come, as arrest warrants were issued for those who did not attend their scheduled appearance at Salford and Manchester Magistrates Court on 30 June.

Among those who did attend was Saskia Williams of Andrew Street, Bury. She had been given a fixed penalty notice on 26 July 2022 for littering behind Ormrod Street, Bury, but failed to pay it. The court fined her £220 and awarded £388 costs to the council plus a victim surcharge of £88.

Daniel Morris from Byland Gardens, Radcliffe failed to pay a fixed penalty notice given to him in July 2022 for fly tipping near his home. A warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to attend the court on 30 June 2023. He was then prosecuted on 3 July and received a 6-month conditional discharge, and was ordered to pay costs of £500 and a £26 victim surcharge.

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: “The public want us to crack down on people who spoil the environment, and that’s exactly what we will continue doing. In the last two years we’ve issued more than 100 fines and taken tens of offenders to court.

“Every penny that we don’t have to spend cleaning up this mess can be spent on essential services elsewhere.”

Cllr Quinn urged residents not to use unlicensed waste removal operators, who often advertise their services for a cheap price on social media.

“Everyone has a duty of care to ensure they correctly dispose of their waste,” he said. “If you don’t check people’s credentials, and then your waste turns up fly tipped somewhere, you could be fined £400.”

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: 5 July 2023.