Mendip District Council and Avon and Somerset Police are working in partnership to crack down on the dumping of illegal waste in the Frome area.

Stop-and-search exercises have initially taken place at Oldford Hill, with the Council and police inspecting a total of 27 carriers of controlled waste.

While many were found to be generally compliant with waste regulations, a fifth of the transporters pulled-over were unable to furnish documents and are now subject to further enquiries and a potential £300 Fixed-Penalty-Notice.

Two vehicles stopped as part of 'the stings' were not local waste carriers, but originating from the London and Brighton area.

People who manage waste illegally cost the taxpayer millions every year in clean-ups, in addition to having a devastating impact on wildlife and the environment. They undercut legitimate businesses, pose a direct threat to sustainable business growth in waste management, and take valuable resource from the public sector.

The joint enforcement exercises are set to continue to ensure that the right waste goes to the right place. But in addition to the crackdown, the local authority and police are committed to educating householders and commercial businesses to ensure they understand the 'legal duty of care' regarding the correct disposal of the waste they produce.

Cllr Heather Shearer, Portfolio Holder for Community Health at Mendip District Council, said: "Fly-tippers don't care about the environment or our communities. But residents do, and so does your Council. That's why working together is the smartest way possible to tackle the problem.

"The joint operation in Frome is a great example of a multi-agency working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation.

"Waste crime is a key priority for us. I'm keen that this will act as a platform for future operations and initiatives and I am very grateful to colleagues in Avon and Somerset Constabulary for assisting us in this crucial work."

Cllr Shearer added: "Actions to reduce such environmental crime and pollution have a positive effect on those blighted by the menace of fly-tipping. Cleaning-up our communities will improve the local environment, ease frustrations and enhance the health and wellbeing of people living there."

Fly tipping is illegal and the Council will look to take enforcement action wherever possible. If you spot a fly-tipping incident, please report it to us as soon as possible.

You can call our customer service team on 0300 303 8588 or go to our website: www.mendip.gov.uk/streetclean.

Did you know? Mendip residents can be prosecuted even if their waste is fly-tipped by someone else on their behalf – so always use a registered waste carrier to collect your rubbish. Find a registered waste carrier in your area on the Environment Agency's website: https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers.