Lasso cracks down on rogue traders
September 26, 2007 9:22 PM
A multi agency crackdown on rogue traders has brought results for Maidstone Borough Council, the police and other partners.
Operation Lasso, carried out at Detling Hill and Bluebell Hill, picked up plenty of unsafe drivers as well as enforcing the message that it's illegal to carry waste without a license.
The operation involved the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency, the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency, the Department of Work & Pensions and HM Customs, as well as the police and the Environment Agency.
Each agency carried out a range of roadside checks, including vehicle inspections, checking for illegal use of red diesel, false benefit claims and carrying waste without a license.
In total Operation Lasso stopped 40 vehicles, resulting in eight notices issued regarding vehicle defects, five ongoing investigations by the Department of Work & Pensions and two interviews for DVLA offences. Kent Police seized two vehicles for the drivers having no license and insurance, issued one summons for a license and insurance offence, one fixed penalty for using a mobile phone while driving, one fixed penalty for failing to display legal number plates and one notice to produce insurance documentation. Maidstone Borough Council and the Environment Agency issued five notices to produce the correct waste carrying documentation.
The Kent Police drugs testing unit, Ion Track, was on site which can take swabs from driver's hands or steering wheel to test for the presence of drugs. No action was taken against any driver, but the equipment acted as a deterrent and reminder of the dangers of drug driving.
Smoke free stickers were also handed out to commercial van drivers who did not already display the required notices, in efforts to raise awareness of the new legislation.
Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Tony Harwood, said: "A key recommendation from the council's scrutiny study into tackling fly tipping was for tougher enforcement against the businesses behind this criminal behaviour and Operation Lasso does just that.
"The multi-agency crack-downs are sending out a message to fly tippers and cowboy contractors that they cannot operate outside of the law in Maidstone. They will be caught and they will feel the full weight of the law. We are committed to turning the tide against those who disfigure the countryside with illegal fly tipping. Operation Lasso is not going away."
Failing to register as a waste carrier can land an operator with a fine of up to £5,000. To find out how to register, either as a householder or as someone who carries waste for other people, click the link below.
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