A BRADFORD man has been fined after his van was caught illegally carrying scrap metal.

Richard Edwards, 40, appeared at Bradford & Keighley Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to illegally carrying and transferring waste and was fined £200.

Mr Edwards, of Ackworth Street, Bowling, Bradford, was also ordered to pay £398.80 costs and a Victim Surcharge of £30.

The court was told that Environmental Enforcement Officers from Bradford Council and West Yorkshire police officers were taking part in a joint vehicle stop and search exercise in Bradford South as part of Operation Steerside.

They spotted a white Ford van in The Avenue, Clayton, which was being loaded up with tipped metal waste, including large white electrical goods.

The passenger identified himself as Richard Edwards, the registered keeper and the person responsible for the vehicle.

He was issued with a notice to produce a Waste Carriers’ Licence and a Waste Transfer Note to prove where the waste would be tipped but he did not do so within the time allowed.

He subsequently failed to attend an interview with environmental enforcement officers and did not pay the Fixed Penalty Notice he was issued with. As a result he was prosecuted by Bradford Council.

Following the court hearing, Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “We are continuing the fight against fly-tipping in more ways than one.

“As well as using a number of methods to catch fly-tippers such as CCTV cameras, we also target waste carrying vehicles to make sure that the operators have the proper documents.

“A Waste Transfer Note lets people know where the waste should end up instead of leaving it to chance.

“Anyone employing people to get rid of waste should check the carrier’s documents. Otherwise you could end up with a fine if the waste ends up getting fly-tipped.

“We all have to take responsibility to fight the menace of illegal fly-tipping and to make sure that rogue traders do not leave us vulnerable to prosecution by dumping our waste.”

Householders have a legal Duty of Care to ensure that their waste carrier is registered and legitimate waste carriers will be happy to produce the relevant documents.

Customers can also check the Environment Agency website to see the register of licensed waste carriers.

For more information, or if you witness fly-tipping taking place and have information, please go to our website at www.bradford.gov.uk or telephone 01274 431000.