Enforcement action of over 300 cases in 2021/22 and an overall reduction in the number of environmental crime cases reported.
We took action against 300 cases of environmental crime in 2021/22 , which saw a decrease in cases reported. This was reported to Cabinet this week.
An increase from 130 cases the year before, resulted in 220 community protection warnings, two community protection notices, and 82 fixed penalty notices. 10 cases were prosecuted through court.
Over the same period, reports of fly-tipping fell to 2,394 from 3,269 the previous year.
The figures come after forming a Environmental Enforcement Team with experience and resources to tackle complex investigations.
Speaking after the meeting on Monday evening, Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox, Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure, said:
“Fly-tipping and littering comes through loud and clear as being right at the top of the issues our residents and businesses want to see action on.
“We listened to those views and created a team dedicated to tracking down and taking action against those who would despoil our town and countryside without any regard to the damage they do to the environment and the inconvenience and cost they cause others.”
All reports of fly-tipping received are assessed by the Environmental Enforcement Team. They review for potential for evidence to be recovered from the site. If there is, officers will conduct initial investigation before the waste team clears the fly-tip.
The team uses anti-social behaviour enforcement powers to tackle environmental crime. Last year they were given the power to issue fixed penalty notices to householders who have not ensured their waste is being disposed of legally. Read about your rubbish and duty of care.
Community Protection Warnings, which lead to Community Protection Notices, have been effective. Education first of the responsibility, and then enforcement response to lower-level offending.
Enforcement activity focuses mainly on larger scale offences such as fly-tipping. The majority of enforcement actions by the team, have been large environmental crime offences, as opposed to litter fines. However, if enforcement officers witness any littering offences then action will still be taken.
Cllr Mochrie-Cox added: “The creation of our dedicated team and its work in investigating any incidents of environmental crime where evidence could lead them to the perpetrators has made Gravesham an unappealing destination for fly-tippers.
“We are, of course restricted in our efforts by the law in terms of the amount offenders are fined and the levels of costs we are awarded which dictates to an extent the resources we can commit to enforcement.
“However, our investment of time and money into tackling the problem head-on has sent out a very clear message – we do not tolerate fly-tipping here and we take action whenever we have evidence that leads us to those responsible.”