Press Release 25 June 2015

More than 80 people have been left counting the cost of committing environmental crimes in County Durham last month (May).

Latest figures from Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection team show that 73 fixed penalty notices were issued for littering.

Three were given out for dog fouling, five for untidy yards and gardens and failing to comply with litter clearing notices and two to waste carriers who did not have the correct paperwork.

The team tackles various issues including flytipping, dog fouling, stray dogs, littering and antisocial behaviour.

Twenty-six Community Protection Warnings and nine Community Protection Notices were handed to the owners of properties with untidy gardens or yards.

Wardens removed 127 stray dogs, serving as a reminder of how important it is to make sure dogs are microchipped so that they can be traced and returned to their owner if they get lost.

Teams investigated 49 reports of antisocial behaviour, attended 148 incidents passed from the police, carried out 117 alcohol seizures from underage children and investigated 233 antisocial behaviour reports.

And, as part of Operation Stop It, a multi-agency crackdown on flytipping, the following statistics were also recorded for May:

• 451 flytipping incidents were reported and investigated – 22 are still ongoing and 10 were progressed for prosecution.
• 26 CCTV cameras were deployed in known flytipping areas.
• 14 Police and Criminal Evidence interviews were carried out.
• Seven duty of care letters were issued warning people of their responsibility to dispose of waste legally.
• There were 30 stop and check operations to find out whether waste carriers were licensed – two fixed penalty notices were handed to carriers who did not have the proper papers.

Ian Hoult, Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “Our campaign to stop flytipping is proving effective so far with a 29 per cent reduction since November 2014.

“However, we will not be complacent and are continuing to work with Durham Constabulary, the Environment Agency and Crimestoppers to deter and catch those who dump rubbish illegally.

“By carrying out regular stop and check operations throughout the county we are making sure that anyone carrying waste is registered and has the correct documents in their possession.

“And the use of extra CCTV cameras is helping us to prosecute even more people who have been caught in the act flytipping.”

Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, added: “Thanks to help from the public we are managing to reduce flytipping in our beautiful county.

“We would like to remind people that they can get rid of unwanted items at their local tip for free or you can arrange a bulky waste collection. If someone is taking your waste away it is vital to make sure you know it is going to the right place.”

To find your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) visit www.durham.gov.uk/hwrc and to arrange a bulky waste collection call 03000 261 000.

Businesses must meet their duty of care in correct waste disposal and collection – for further details visit www.durham.gov.uk/commercialwaste

Environmental crimes, including flytipping, dog fouling and litter, can be reported at www.durham.gov.uk or by calling 03000 261 000.

Unlicensed waste carriers can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.

Tackling environmental crimes – June update