Sometime between Wednesday 18th December 2013 and Friday 20th December 2013 fly-tippers dumped a large amount of building waste in the carpark on Bilton Lane – near to the Harrogate to Bilton green-way.
Fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The penalties for fly tipping are severe, and the Government has recently increased these, as well as expanded the range of punishments that are available.
The penalties include:
- A maximum of five years imprisonment
- A maximum penalty of £50,000
- A Community Punishment Order
- A Community Rehabilitation Order
- A Curfew Order
- Forfeiture of any vehicle used in the commission of an offence
- Disqualification from driving
Additionally the Council can apply to a Magistrates’ Court for a warrant to seize the vehicle. This course of action is taken where a member of the public has witnessed the offence.
Since the 21st November 2005, every householder in the UK has been placed under a duty to ensure that their waste is disposed of properly. Householders should only use legitimate contractors – Registered Waste Carrier, or site that holds a Waste Management Licence.
North Yorkshire County Councillor David Simister (Ukip, Bilton & Nidd Gorge) described the fly tipping as absolutely disgraceful.
David added:
Harrogate Borough Council needs to act fast and prosecute those responsible as quickly as possible.
There is no excuse whatsoever for this.
Harrogate has two amenity tips which is where this detritus should have been delivered to in the first place, instead of it being dumped in this car park which is popular for cyclists and dog walkers.
Anyone who can help officers with their enquiries is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101
Alternatively email PCSO James Skaith James.Skaith@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
If you prefer not to give your name, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
