Council officers took to the roads to pro-actively combat fly-tipping and road offences plaguing rural communities.

In an operation this month, Epping Forest District Council officers and Essex Police stopped 20 vehicles suspected of various crimes.

Of the twenty topped vehicles, one was fined for driving with no insurance and their vehicle was seized, one was fined for driving with an expired driving licence, and one arrest was made for a positive drugs test.

Six stopped vehicles, suspected of committing waste offences, will be issued notices to produce their authority to transport waste and waste transfer notes. Failure to do so will result in fixed penalty notices or prosecution.

Cllr Holly Whitbread, portfolio holder for housing and community services, said: “Rural fly tipping is a blight on the countryside, and costs landowners across the East of England on average £1,000 per incident. Essex County Council taxpayers pay over £1 million a year to clear fly tipping from the Highway and other Council-owned land.

“Our Environmental Enforcement Team will continue to take action, where appropriate, in conjunction with partner organisations, to ensure that waste is removed by licenced waste carriers and disposed of responsibly.”

Epping Forest Guardian:

For more breaking news, local headlines and features, ‘like’ our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter account: @EppingFGuardian

Follow us to keep up-to-date with news in Epping Forest.