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 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.
