Partnership working to tackle waste crime
In early December the Maidstone Task Force carried out a waste crime day of action in the Shepway area of Maidstone.
Task Force officers from Golding Homes, Maidstone Borough Council, Kent County Council Community Wardens, and Kent Police worked together surveying the local area to identify areas of fly-tipping which were then flagged to the land owner for removal.
Vehicles seen to be carrying waste were stopped by the Police, and the MBC Waste Crime Team completed checks to ensure the relevant documentation was being carried, educating drivers to the current legislation and carrying out enforcement where necessary.
As a result of this day a review will be conducted into how bulky waste is collected during the current climate.
KCC Warden Stuart Ellesmere, who organised the event, said “This was an extremely beneficial exercise that shows multi-agency co-operation to a high degree. Not only is it good for local residents to see a visible presence by the Task Force, but it shows that we are multi-faceted in our joint approach in uplifting the local community and its surroundings. This was a very successful day which I am sure will be repeated ”.
Steve Timms, Community Safety Lead at Golding Homes, said: "The joint working approach with Kent Police, MBC and KCC wardens has been fantastic and is the start of things to come. Each organisation brings their own skills and enforcement powers which means that we have been able to address the concerns that residents have raised with us in regards to dumped waste. As a group we will continue to identify those people responsible for fly tipping and prosecute them where possible”.