A joint operation between Hounslow Council and the Metropolitan Police took place last week to crack down on fly-tipping in Chiswick.
Published: Friday, 6th December 2024
The aim of the joint operation – Operation Swift – was to address fly-tipping incidents in the Chiswick area and ensure compliance with waste carrier regulations.
Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste, and it is a criminal offence. If someone is caught fly-tipping, they will get a £400 fixed penalty notice (FPN) – and for large or dangerous fly-tips, an unlimited fine or even face a prison sentence in a magistrate’s court.
During the operation, the enforcement team stopped vehicles and checked waste carrier licences. A number of FPNs were issued, and enforcement actions were taken against individuals found in breach of their legal responsibilities.
Councillor Shivraj Grewal, lead member for Infrastructure, Recycling and Transformation at Hounslow Council, said:
“Fly-tipping is extremely costly to tidy up. We spend £1.3 million every year clearing up waste that has been dumped illegally. We know that most of our residents and businesses dispose of their waste responsibly, which plays a huge part in helping to keep Hounslow’s streets clean and tidy. These are great examples of how we are fighting back against fly-tipping and will not hesitate to take strong action against those who don’t.
“I would like to thank the Met Police for their continued support in these operations. Together, we’re making a difference in keeping our borough clean and safe.”
Hounslow Council is also getting tougher on fly-tipping by catching suspects in the act on CCTV and tracing the rubbish back to them – which is exactly what happened to one individual after they were caught on CCTV dumping a trolley full of household waste on to Fraser House in Brentford.
In this case, it was a joint effort by the CCTV, housing caretaking and neighbourhood enforcement teams to track down the suspect. Neighbourhood enforcement officers used the CCTV evidence to identify the offender who was then contacted, admitted to the offence and received the fine.
Residents can also report fly-tipping online using the FixMyStreet app or on the Council’s website.
Any bulky waste items can be collected from residents’ homes or can be taken to the Reuse and Recycling Centre in Feltham. Local businesses can dispose of their waste with a commercial waste subscription.
For more information, visit the council website.
