Operation Clean Sweep tackles waste crime in Lincolnshire

The Environment Agency-led day of action caught multiple waste criminals in the act

Agencies of the Lincolnshire Environmental Crime Partnership worked together on Operation Clean Sweep.

A successful day of action against waste crime has led to multiple vehicle seizures and prevented illegal waste dumping across Lincolnshire.

Operation Clean Sweep took place on Thursday 6 March with roadside inspections in Boston and site visits in Skegness conducted by the Lincolnshire Environmental Crime Partnership.

Vehicles were inspected and some were seized during the operation.

The multi-agency operation was led by the Environment Agency and involved Lincolnshire Police, British Transport Police, Boston Borough Council, East Lindsey District Council, and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) working together to detect and disrupt illegal waste activities.

In Boston, teams conducted roadside stops and inspections of vehicles capable of carrying waste, with 25 vehicles inspected in total. Of the six vehicles found carrying waste, five were doing so unlawfully. Some had no explanation for their final destination, while two were carrying hazardous waste insecurely.

Some vehicles were found to be carrying waste unlawfully.

Boston Borough Council issued six £300 fines for waste offences and six notices to produce documents. Lincolnshire Police issued seven fines, 19 traffic offence reports, one summons and one caution. The DVSA issued 11 prohibition notices preventing onward journeys.

At the same time, two waste sites were visited in Skegness. One site was found breaching scrap metal legislation designed to prevent metal theft, while the other was identified as an illegal waste site.

Stuart Hoyle, Environment Agency Waste Crime Specialist, said: