The fight against fly-tipping continues as Merton Council crushed another seized vehicle last Thursday.

The vehicle was seized following an initial tip-off from a resident who witnessed it being used for fly-tipping over 200 tyres within the borough Merton.

As the fly-tip occurred on private land a witness contacted the Environment Agency. However Merton Council’s enforcement team had also received calls to say this vehicle was in the area and was heavy loaded and touting for work in Merton. Efforts to trace the owners from the registration plate were fruitless and a warrant to seize the van was granted to the Environmental Agency by Wimbledon Magistrates Court.

On 11 February 2004, Merton Council’s Principal Enforcement Officer spotted the vehicle in Mitcham and the vehicle was seized in partnership operation with the Environment Agency and Mitcham police.

As no one claimed the vehicle within 28 days of the notice it was crushed on Thursday 18 March. Merton Council, the Environment Agency and the Police attended the crush to see the result of their efforts.

Councillor Linda Kirby, Merton Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental Quality, said: “This is an outstanding piece of work achieved by the council working in partnership with the Environment Agency, the Police and local residents. It highlights our commitment to combating fly-tipping and other anti social behaviour in the Borough.”

Anyone who witnesses fly tipping in their area should try and record as much information as possible and contact Merton’s Enforcement Team on 020 8274 4902.