Fly-tippers could lose their driving licence if they are caught
blighting streets or the countryside with waste now that powerful
legislation is set to come into force giving the
courts new powers.
The measures are part of the Policing and
Crime Act and mean that those who
repeatedly break the law and accumulate 12 or more points within
a three-year period will be at risk of disqualification from
driving altogether, acting as a tough deterrent
against dumping waste illegally. In some instances,
offenders may get 9 points for a single incident.
The move is a central part of the
government's Waste Crime Action
Plan, which sets out a wide-ranging crackdown on waste
criminals, from those dumping rubbish on high streets and
roadsides to operators running large illegal waste sites. With
most fly-tips being around the same size as the back of a small
van, the government is determined to target the vehicles — and
the licences — that enable this offending.
Environment Secretary said:
Fly-tipping is a disgrace that blights our communities, harms our
environment and damages our economy.
Courts will soon be able to strip repeat fly-tippers of their
driving licences, hitting offenders where it hurts and helping to
clean up our streets. This is just one measure from our Waste
Crime Action Plan to crack down on criminals.
Our message is simple: if you dump waste illegally, you will face
the consequences.
The courts already have a range of powers available when
sentencing fly-tippers, including the ability to issue heavy
fines, impose community sentences or hand down prison sentences.
The new penalty points measure adds a further tool, giving courts
the ability to restrict offenders' freedom to drive as part of
any conviction for fly-tipping.
The new Waste Crime Action
Plan sets out a zero-tolerance approach, with action to
prevent waste crime at its source by closing loopholes and
equipping regulators with the tools they need to stop waste
criminals. Changes in the plan include ordering offenders
to complete up to 20 hours of unpaid work cleaning streets and
parks as part of new clean-up squads to restore pride in our
towns, requiring them to pay the cost of clearing the waste
they illegally dumped and naming and shaming illegal waste
operators.
The government is also 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. This
funding will help local authorities fulfil key responsibilities,
including tackling fly-tipping and pursuing prosecutions, and
underlines the government's commitment to giving councils the
resources they need to keep communities clean and
safe.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Driving licence holders can be disqualified from driving if
they build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of three
years.
- Convicted fly-tippers can already face heavy fines,
community sentences or prison under existing legislation.
