Waste criminals could face police-style powers under Government crackdown

Credit: Assets Publishing Service for DEFRA.

Litter louts trashing our high streets, roads and community spaces could face losing their driving licences, as the government considers plans to step up the fight against waste crime.

With most fly tips being around the same size as the back of a small van, the government is looking at measures to award penalty points on driving licences for those found guilty of fly-tipping – which could lead to them losing their licences altogether.

This would make it harder for offenders to continue dumping illegally if they are disqualified from driving and send a clear warning that fly-tipping is not tolerated.

The proposal being considered forms part of the government’s new ‘Waste Crime Action Plan’, to be published shortly, which will set out a tough crackdown on waste criminals blighting neighbourhoods – from fly-tipping all the way to large illegal waste sites.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: “Fly-tipping damages our communities and the environment and we are taking action to stop it. Litter louts who repeatedly break the law will see points added to their licence and risk losing it for good if they continue to offend.

“We are empowering local authorities to deal with fly-tipping, like seizing and crushing vehicles, and are urging them to make use of the whole range of measures available to them.”

Driving licence holders can be disqualified from driving if they build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of 3 years.

The government is making around £78 billion available to council budgets in England this year as part of the first multi-year funding settlement in over a decade to help fund key responsibilities like fly-tipping.

Alongside this, new guidance has been published which gives councils clear instructions on identifying, seizing and disposing of vehicles involved in fly-tipping. It also includes advice on taking cases to court and securing convictions against vehicle owners.

Convicted fly-tippers can already face heavy fines, community sentences or prison.