Seized for suspected fly-tipping

The white Ford Transit flatbed pick-up was seized in Eskdale Street, Hetton, on Sunday 27 October at 3.47pm in a coordinated operation between the City Council and Northumbria Police.

This seizure was part of Project Shield, a focused initiative addressing community concerns in and around the Easington Lane area. The project brings together the council, police, and other partners to tackle criminal and anti-social behaviour, including fly-tipping, burglary, and youth disorder.

The vehicle is suspected of being used to dispose of waste unlawfully at the former Frosterley Close site (known as the Cosy) in Easington Lane.

This seizure marks the 29^th vehicle the City Council has confiscated on suspicion of involvement in fly-tipping since August 2019. Of these, subsequent investigations have led to 17 vehicles being destroyed or sold and 12 returned to their owners.

Vehicle owners may request the return of their vehicle, but the council will decide on a case-by-case basis. If a decision is made not to return a vehicle, it may be crushed or sold.

Enhanced enforcement against fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour was one of the main public concerns identified in the City Council's 2020 "Let's Talk" consultation.

The City Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment, Transport and Net Zero, Councillor Lindsey Leonard said: "Fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour continue to be two of our residents' biggest concerns and what many people contact the council about.

"Fly-tipping is not only illegal but seriously anti-social. It blights communities, creates eye-sores and pollution, and as we have the powers to seize vehicles that may have been used from fly-tipping, we will use these powers and that's exactly what we have done.

"As householders, we all have a legal 'Duty of Care' to make sure that our waste is disposed of lawfully so if you are arranging a private collection you need to check where the waste is going and whether they have a valid waste carrier's licence. If you don't and it's found dumped, you could be the one left to pick up the bill."

Anyone planning to use a private waste collector should check with the Environment Agency that the person, or company concerned has a valid waste carriers licence by visiting the website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/access-the-public-register-for-environmental-information

If you witness fly-tipping you can report it anonymously to https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/report-flytipping or by calling 0191 520 5550.