Council continues to obtain successful prosecutions for fly-tipping crimes

The Environmental Services department in Great Yarmouth has one of the best records for enforcement on environmental crimes in the whole of Norfolk. The Environmental Rangers investigate incidents, follows-up tip-offs and appeal for public information to help target those who blight the environment.

Mark McCallum,age 51, of Barrack Road, Great Yarmouth, fly-tipped the settee from his vehicle in the Churchill Road/Arundel Road passageway, Great Yarmouth, on 17^th June 2019.

A witness reported the incident to the council, including a photograph of the dumped waste and vehicle involved. The Environmental Rangers investigated and prosecuted Mr McCallum after he failed to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice he had been initially issued with.  

Mr McCallum recently pleaded not guilty at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court. However, he was found guilty, given a 12-month conditional discharge and told to pay a £21 victim surcharge plus costs of £625. 

Cllr Penny Carpenter, chairman of the environmental committee, said: "The ongoing problem of fly tipping we experience in the Borough means fly tipping is one of the main complaints to the Environmental Ranger team.

"Whilst targeted patrols are carried out, the Rangers cannot be everywhere at once, therefore they rely on other evidence, including public tip-offs as we saw in this case, to help target the right individuals. All approaches will be treated in confidence."

Anyone who witnesses an environmental crime in the borough or has information that may help to identify an offender should contact the Environmental Rangers and provide as much information as possible, such as the location and time of offence, what occurred, the description or address of the offender(s), and the registration number of any vehicle involved. The quickest way to report is to download the Report IT GY App, or you can call 01493 846478.