Hillingdon Council has crushed the first vehicle linked to illegal dumping in the borough, as it puts its commitment to get tough on fly-tipping into practice.
Last year, a Ford Iveco flatbed truck was caught leaving waste on a residential road in Ickenham and, after being located by the council’s anti-social behaviour team using the authority’s extensive CCTV network, it was seized in Hayes and impounded. It was crushed on Thursday 3 September.
Fly-tipping is illegal, harms the environment, and blights our neighbourhoods, and the council will continue to use all available powers to ensure Hillingdon is protected and kept clean, including stopping, searching, seizing and crushing vehicles.
Those who choose to fly-tip can also face an immediate fine of up to a £1,000 and possible prosecution.
Cllr Adam Bennett, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Community, Environment and Enforcement, said: “Crushing our first vehicle sends a clear message that fly-tipping will not be tolerated. Where we have the evidence, we will use every enforcement power available to hold those responsible to account.
“Fly-tipping damages our environment and communities, and there is no excuse for dumping waste illegally when a range of free or low-cost disposal options are available.
“We all have a role to play in keeping Hillingdon clean, so I would urge residents to dispose of their waste responsibly and report any incidents of fly-tipping to us.”
If you spot fly-tipping, report it at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/flytipping
Watch the video of the vehicle being crushed here.