Weston-super-Mare is stepping up its fight against fly-tipping with a bold new government initiative that allows councils to seize and destroy vehicles involved in illegal waste dumping. This crackdown forms part of the Labour Government’s recently unveiled Plan for Change, aiming to eradicate waste crime and the anti-social behaviour that plagues communities.
The new measures grant councils enhanced powers to collaborate with police in identifying, impounding, and crushing vehicles used for fly-tipping. Cutting-edge technology, including drone surveillance and mobile CCTV cameras, will aid in tracking offenders and collecting irrefutable evidence.
Dan Aldridge, Labour MP for Weston-super-Mare, voiced strong support for the crackdown, highlighting the frustrations of local residents. “Our community has endured far too long with streets marred by discarded rubbish. The Conservatives have neglected this issue for too long, but with these new powers, we’re finally taking a stand to clean up Weston-super-Mare for everyone,” he stated.
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Enacted on May 15, the legislation also promises to streamline administrative processes for councils. By removing cumbersome red tape, the new framework ensures that costs related to vehicle storage and recovery are borne by offenders, not taxpayers.
The crackdown extends to unscrupulous waste operators, who may now face prison terms up to five years for illegal activities. The Environment Agency has been tasked with intensifying checks on operators’ identities and criminal backgrounds, enhancing permit enforcement, and imposing stricter penalties— all financed through industry permits rather than public funds.
Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, reinforced the government’s uncompromising stance: “For too long, waste criminals and fly-tippers have damaged our towns and villages with impunity. That ends now. We are seizing and crushing their vans to restore the cleanliness and pride of communities across Britain.”
Official statistics reveal a 20% increase in fly-tipping incidents since 2018/19, alongside a decline in prosecutions. The government’s enhanced enforcement tools aim to empower communities like Weston-super-Mare to reclaim their streets, countryside, and public spaces from this escalating problem.