Released on behalf of Allerdale Local Focus hub

Over one hundred waste and scrap metal carriers and hauliers were stopped in the Workington area last week (Tuesday 2 November) to check their credentials in a bid to tackle flytipping and illegal waste activity.

The day of action was part of Operation Respect, a multiagency lead initiative led by the Allerdale Local Focus Hub.

Operation Respect began in March 2021 due to the increase in fly-tipping across Allerdale and the negative impact it is having on the community.

The day brought together over 20 officers from the Cumbria Police, Allerdale Borough Council, the Environment Agency, the DVSA and the DVLA.

Four roadside checkpoints were set up at different locations around Workington targeting vehicles capable of carrying waste – checking they had the correct registrations, permits, waste transfer documentation and that the vehicles were road worthy, legal, taxed and insured.

The operation resulted in 118 vehicles being pulled over in the roadside stop checks and:

• 6 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued for failure to register as a waste carrier and not having Waste Transfer Notes
• 3 warnings given and 7 days to produce Waste Transfer Notes
• Information received on a number of suspected illegal waste operations
• 1 arrest for drug driving and possession of drugs and confiscation of a knife. Investigations ongoing.
• 24 number plate offences
• 12 immediate prohibition notices relating to vehicle safety

 Speaking on the day of action Emma Thompson Allerdale Local Focus Hub Manager said:

“It was a really successful day for all partners and good to build closer working relationships with the Allerdale Hub partners.

“Fly-Tipping is one of our community priorities identified by our partners and days of action like this are a great example of how we can achieve greater outcomes by working collaboratively, using our combined powers to stop illegal activity.

“I hope this sends a strong message that as a multi-agency, safety, and the quality of our environment is a priority. We will continue to work together in force, to provide a Cleaner, Greener, Allerdale for everyone.”

Alicia Cottam, Waste Crime Engagement Specialist at the Environment Agency said: “We are determined to make life hard for criminals by disrupting and stopping illegal activity through tough enforcement action.

“Allerdale is one of our priority areas and days of action like this are a great example of how we can achieve better outcomes by working collaboratively, using our combined powers to stop illegal activity. 

“We would like to remind waste carriers, including tradespeople, they are required to hold a waste carriers registration to transport commercial waste. They should operate in line with the waste duty of care code of practice in order to protect the environment, their customers and obey the law. To get a waste carriers registration, you can apply online via the government’s website.”

Allerdale Neighbourhood policing Sergeant Leesa Edwards said “This joint day of action as part of Operation Respect has demonstrated the benefits of multi-agency working to tackle local issues.

“Alongside ensuring businesses are following legal requirements other criminal offences have also been identified.”

A DVLA spokesperson said: “All registration numbers must be displayed clearly and correctly on the number plate – this helps the police, enforcement agencies and members of the public to correctly identify a vehicle and also ensures the number plate can be accurately read by Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to assist road safety and traffic enforcement.

“It is an offence to rearrange letters or numbers, or alter them so that they’re hard to read or to any way obscure a number plate. If this is done to a personalised registration number it may be taken off the motorist.”