LAST month, Liverpool City Council played a part in an enforcement operation in which 38 vehicles transporting waste were stopped in just 4 hours.

The operation saw the Council work alongside the Environment Agency, as well as Merseyside Police and the Merseyside Rural and Heritage team.

Between them, the teams carried out roadside checks on vehicles transporting waste in the Liverpool Docks area.

Across 4 hours, 38 vehicles ranging from cars to skip lorries were stopped and checked.

During this time, the Council issued Section 34 notices to 6 waste carriers. The notices, which refer to the Environmental Protection Act, require people carrying waste to demonstrate that they are disposing of it lawfully.

This law is in place to prevent individuals and businesses from fly-tipping waste onto the streets. Commercial businesses found to be fly-tipping in Liverpool could pay a penalty charge of £1,000 or face prosecution.

On top of this, the Environment Agency handed out 24 advisory and guidance letters to drivers, while Merseyside Police identified 2 cases of unsafe or insecure loads and 1 unroadworthy vehicle.

Plans are now in place for the agencies to expand on this successful day of action and continue combating environmental crime.

Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetscene, said:- “We’re serious about taking on fly-tipping and illegal waste disposal in all its forms, and this operation showed another way in which we can tackle unlicensed waste carriers. In just 4 hours, we and our partners were able to take significant steps to stop unsafe or illegal behaviour. It is a clear sign that working together, understanding each other and pushing towards the same goal can have really positive outcomes.”

Caroline Berry, Merseyside Waste Team Leader from the Environment Agency said:- "Protecting the environment and ensuring waste is disposed of safely is a top priority for the Environment Agency. Operations like this, in partnership with local councils and the police, help to disrupt illegal waste activity, raise awareness among carriers, and make our communities safer and cleaner. We will continue to work closely with our partners to tackle environmental crime wherever it occurs."

Inspector Sophie Read from the Rural Wildlife Heritage Team at Merseyside Police said:- “An innovative partnership approach is absolutely vital in tackling fly tipping and illegal waste disposal across Liverpool. From these results, this close working is making a tangible difference to this issue and we hope that police presence to support Liverpool City Council and the Environment Agency acts as a further deterrent.”