15-12-05 Success for Multi-Agency Operation Targeting Illegal Waste Carriers in London
A major operation to tackle illegal waste carriers, which involved more than 100 members of enforcement agencies and four check sites in North West London, resulted in 124 offences being found during checks on 167 vehicles.
The operation led by VOSA, included the Metropolitan Traffic Police, Thames Valley Police Force, the Environment Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Graham Owen, Metropolitan Area Manager for VOSA, said: "We are extremely pleased with the success of the operation and thank our colleagues in the other agencies. From the results of the two days it can be seen that the checks were beneficial to the protection of road safety and the environment and we look forward to future joint operations."
Chief Inspector Ian Brooks, Met Traffic Police, said: “Drivers and operators of heavy goods vehicles, in view of their size and weight, have a particular duty of care to other road users. This joint operation clearly demonstrated the benefits of several agencies working together to detect, investigate and prosecute those that drive and operate heavy goods vehicle illegally.”
The checks were intelligence-led, using the Police’s Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and the agencies’ databases. The Police teams selected and stopped the target vehicles, VOSA staff checked the mechanical condition, weight and compliance with driver and Operator licences, driver’s hours and the Working Time Directive, HM Revenue and Customs staff checked for improper use of red diesel, the Department for Work and Pensions verified if drivers were lawfully employed, and the Environment Agency checked if vehicles were registered with the Agency to carry waste.
Environment Agency enforcement officer John Seddon said: "This was a beneficial joint exercise. Some vehicles stopped were operating illegally and we will continue to ensure the environment is not put at risk by transport operators who flout the law."
The results:
- Over the two day operation at the end of November and beginning of December 167 waste carrying and tipper type vehicles - from 3.5t - were stopped.
- 6 arrests (4 drink drive offences, 1 for failure to provide suitable identification and 1 deception)
- 37 cases marked for prosecution
- 3 vehicles impounded by VOSA (operating without an Operator-licence)
- 7 fixed penalty notices issued
- 2 vehicles impounded HMR&C for illegal use of red diesel and kerosene
- 40 roadworthiness prohibitions issued (23 immediate and 17 delayed). Mainly for suspension and brake defects with one vehicle found with 5 immediate brake defect and 1 delayed brake defects.
- 27 offence prohibitions (including drivers’ hours and improper use of tachograph equipment)
- 4 verbal warnings
- 15 vehicles were overloaded
The Environment Agency will be taking forward a case for prosecution, which may lead to the revocation of a company’s waste carrier licence.
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NOTES TO EDITOR:
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VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) is responsible for:
• Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses and registering bus services
• Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the MOT testing scheme
• Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations
• Enforcing drivers' hours and licensing requirements
• Supporting Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator licensing, vocational drivers and bus registration requirements
• Providing training and advice for commercial operators
• Investigating vehicle accidents, defects and recalls.
For media enquiries about VOSA, please contact: Zita Galambosi on 0117 954 2561 / Zita.Galambosi@vosa.gov.uk, or Marka Rifat on 0117 954 3438 / marka.rifat@vosa.gov.uk
Page last updated: 25/09/2006