Bedford Borough Council has revealed its progress in fighting environmental crime as it announces a series of recent waste-related prosecutions.
Following multiple convictions of offenders at Luton Magistrates’ Court on April 28, the local authority has confirmed that perpetrators were told to pay over £14,000 in fines, costs, and victim surcharges.
The offences identified by Bedford BC’s Enviro Crime team included fly-tipping, fly-posting, failure to provide commercial waste documentation, and breaches of environmental and public health regulations.
According to the council, the cases resulted in the breach of legislation such as the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949.
Cllr Andrea Spice, Portfolio Holder for Economic Prosperity, Planning, Housing, and Regulatory Services, said: ‘These prosecutions send a clear message: Bedford Borough Council will not tolerate acts that damage our environment or blight our communities.
‘Fly-tipping and other environmental crimes are not victimless - they harm neighbourhoods, undermine local pride and cost taxpayers’ money to clear up.’
Cllr Spice emphasised that ‘robust action’ will be taken by the council against rulebreakers.
The statement also called for residents and businesses to ensure that they dispose of waste correctly and lawfully, as well as urging them to report environmental crimes to the council.
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