Luton Borough Council

11/11/2022 - Waste crime offences heard in court

On Friday 4 November seven waste crime offence cases were heard before the Luton Magistrates Court.

The court issued six warrants for failure to appear for offences relating to fly-tipping, along with a fine totaling £800 for a breach of a Community Protection Notice for waste crime offences. As none of the defendants appeared in court for the fly-tipping offences, six warrants were issued and failure to respond may result in them being arrested and presented before the court.

The seventh case resulted in Mr Shipan Miah of Liverpool Road, Luton being prosecuted for a breach of a Community Protection Notice. An excessive amount of waste was found on private land during routine patrol by a uniformed enforcement officer. A notice was served on Mr Miah, the land owner and as he failed to comply with the requirements, a fixed penalty notice was served but remained unpaid. He was also not present in court on 4 November and was found guilty in his absence and issued with a fine totaling £800.

Councillor Maria Lovell, Portfolio Holder responsible for Neighbourhood Services said: “Waste crime is simply not acceptable and really not necessary as there are alternatives available to residents for the removal of extra waste.

“We have already issued a number of fixed penalty notices over the last few years for fly-tipping and these recent cases again demonstrate that we have a zero-tolerance approach and will always take robust enforcement action. People need to know that we are watching and we will catch them”.

When having a clear out, moving house or carrying out DIY, residents must take appropriate steps to ensure they give their waste to a licensed carrier. If they don’t and their rubbish is found dumped and it’s tracked back to them, they will be prosecuted or receive a fixed penalty notice. People are also being reminded that disposing of waste in the wrong place, including extra sacks of waste next to their rubbish bins is also fly-tipping and most importantly it’s a crime. The council will be watching and offenders will receive fines or prosecution if caught.

You can check if someone is authorised with your local Environment Agency office on 03708 506 506 or you can check online.

To report fly-tipped waste [email protected]