Ref: PR1841
Date: 08/07/08

Wakefield Council joined with partners to target environmental crime in Horbury and Castleford last week.

The Council's Environmental Crime Officers carried out a joint day of action with West Yorkshire Police, HM Customs and Excise (Illegal road fuel dept) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) on Friday 4 July 2008. The purpose of the day was to target vehicles which were illegally transporting waste, vehicles using unexcised diesel (red diesel) and unroadworthy vehicles.

Over the day checks were made on vehicles and drivers in areas of Horbury and Castleford. The results of which are as follows:-

• 32 Vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked.
• 5 Drivers are to be issued with fixed penalty warning notices in relation to no waste carriers licence.
• 1 Application/Advisory packs were issued regarding waste carriers registration.
• 6 Vehicles were removed from service immediately by VOSA for reasons of serious road worthiness defects to the vehicles.
• 2 Vehicles were issued with delayed prohibitions by VOSA for road worthiness defects.
• 2 Drivers were reported by VOSA for the offence of misuse of vehicle trade plates and two defective tyres.
• 32 vehicles were checked by Customs & Excise officers re illegal road fuel. No detections were found.

The Council's Environmental Crime Officer's also made duty of care checks under operation 'Tyred Out' on 17 Garages with regard to the illegal disposal of waste tyres (fly-tipping). All were found to be all in order.

Cllr Olivia Rowley, Cabinet member for Community Safety and Cohesion, said: "Wakefield Council is committed to reducing the crime and anti-social behaviour that is often linked to illegally used vehicles. Our Environmental Crime Officers continue to tackle these issues through these successful days of action, working with our partners to make our streets safer. This action will continue throughout the district, ensuring that the people driving in our district do so legally and safely."

PC Bryan Butterworth, one of Wakefield District Police's Anti-Social Behaviour Officers, said: "We are very pleased with the results of this operation. Multi agency operations like these help improve the environment and quality of life for residents across the Wakefield District."

ENDS