A STARK warning has been sent to illegal rubbish dumpers after a vehicle suspected of being involved in fly-tipping was confiscated.

Officers from the Civil Enforcement team at Thurrock Council are currently working with Essex Police as part of a joint operation designed to crack down on fly-tippers.

Since April, the partnership has resulted in three vehicles being seized and hundreds of pounds worth of fines being issued.

The total of confiscated vehicles has now risen to four after a van was taken away after being suspected of polluting the borough with waste.

Councillor Rob Gledhill believes the recent capture further demonstrates the council’s intent to seriously tackle the area’s fly-tippers, despite what residents may think.

He said: “I still hear residents saying we are not taking action on fly-tipping.

“This is now the fourth vehicle we have seized linked to fly-tipping since April, couple this with the 204 £400 fines we have issued in the same time period and it demonstrates that we are taking action.

“When anyone thinks they’re saving a few pounds by using an unauthorised waste carrier from social media or word of mouth it can end up costing them a huge amount more in fines and the risk of a potential criminal record.

“Someone trying to save a few pounds can also end up costing the taxpayer thousands in clean-up costs.”

Anyone involved in fly-tipping can be issued with a fixed £400 penalty notice.

This includes residents who don’t take the proper care and use an unauthorised waste carrier who then illegally dumps their waste.

Those responsible for larger dumps, or anyone who doesn’t pay their fixed penalty notice, will face a criminal prosecution, landing them in Magistrates Court.

As a result, the culprits could end up with a fine of up to £50,000 or a 12-month prison sentence.

To report fly-tipped waste visit thurrock.gov.uk/fly-tipping.