Drivers stopped in New Forest during flytipping crackdown

Police have been working with other agencies on the operation

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 12th Jan 2023

A total of 50 vehicles have been stopped in the New Forest, in the space of just three hours, during a police crackdown on flytipping.

Officers from Hampshire’s Country Watch team spoke to drivers of commercial vehicles involved with landscaping, tree surgery, house and garden clearance, building, as well as vehicles likely to carry waste or hazardous waste.

They've been working alongside the Roads Policing Unit, local neighbourhood policing teams, New Forest District Council, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), HM Revenue and Customs, Forestry England, and the Environment Agency on the operation yesterday morning (Wednesday 11th January).

Among the 50 vehicles stopped, officers found:

  • Two people who were issued fines for transporting dangerous goods in an inappropriate manner
  • One vehicle had no MOT
  • Three people were reported for summons for driving without tax
  • Two vehicles were seized for not being insured
  • One person was reported for summons for transporting waste without a waste carrier licence
  • A 55-year-old man was issued a community resolution after cannabis was found in their vehicle

Police Sergeant Stuart Ross, of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Country Watch Team, said:

“We are aware of the impact these kinds of offences can have on the local community and the environment. I’m pleased with the results from today, it was an excellent of example of partnership working whereby enforcement, advice and reassurance can be provided to road users and the wider public.

“We very much take a partnership approach to tackling these issues, involving a wide-range of partners when necessary, to ensure that local residents feel safe and protected within their local community.”

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