News
02-09-06, 07:30 PM
Rogue waste operators who dump rubbish and run companies that flout environmental laws can now be served with an Asbo, under new powers which extend the use of the banning orders to tackle the illegal disposal of waste.
Concern about fly-tippers and firms that regularly dump or illegally burn lorry loads of noxious rubbish prompted the Environment Agency yesterday to join police and councils in being able to ask courts to impose the orders. Vandals, graffiti artists and other enviro-crimes such as nuisance noise will also be targeted by the agency, which previously had to wait for a successful prosecution before it could act.
A spokesman said: "This is about repeat offenders and the big, nasty cases such as construction companies dumping waste in a river. It's not about the odd individual leaving a sofa in the street."
The agency deals with 4,000 to 5,000 waste-related incidents each year and prosecutes about 200 cases. It has already drawn up a hitlist of companies and individuals and expects to serve its first environmental Asbo - antisocial behaviour order - under the new powers later this year. Martin Brocklehurst, head of waste strategy with the agency, said it would allow more rapid action to protect communities from firms that ran unlicensed waste disposal services.
"We had a case recently when a director was eventually sent to jail for that sort of activity, but the problem ran for over a year. There were vehicles moving at unsocial hours and material burnt with noxious fumes and black smoke but there was not a lot we could do until the case went to court. Now, with the Asbo powers, we could stop that."
Fly-tipping prosecutions can be difficult, he added, because of the need to prove individual responsibility in court. "The Asbo will take a lower level of proof. If you can show an association to the satisfaction of the magistrates court then you can serve an Asbo, because it's about protecting the public from the activity."
The Environment Agency says it will also apply for the orders to prevent antisocial activity on and around rivers and waterways it looks after, such as those who vandalise locks or gather in intimidating groups, as well as organisations that create too much noise as part of their licensed operations. The powers, announced by the Home Office in December, came into force yesterday.
Separately, David Cameron yesterday called on the government to introduce annual targets to reduce the UK's carbon dioxide emissions. Sharing a platform with Tony Juniper, head of Friends of the Earth, the Conservative leader said: "Despite many speeches and pronouncements on this vital issue by everyone from the prime minister to the lowest parliamentary under secretary, ministers' rhetoric is failing to translate into government action that in any way matches up to the scale of the challenge."
Mr Cameron said he supported calls for a climate change bill to be included in the next Queen's speech to ensure the UK meets a long-standing ambition to slash greenhouse gas pollution by 60% by 2050.
News Source
http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/anti-so...nder_new_rules/ (http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/anti-social_behaviour/rogue_rubbish_dumpers_risk_asbo_penalty_under_new_ rules/)
Concern about fly-tippers and firms that regularly dump or illegally burn lorry loads of noxious rubbish prompted the Environment Agency yesterday to join police and councils in being able to ask courts to impose the orders. Vandals, graffiti artists and other enviro-crimes such as nuisance noise will also be targeted by the agency, which previously had to wait for a successful prosecution before it could act.
A spokesman said: "This is about repeat offenders and the big, nasty cases such as construction companies dumping waste in a river. It's not about the odd individual leaving a sofa in the street."
The agency deals with 4,000 to 5,000 waste-related incidents each year and prosecutes about 200 cases. It has already drawn up a hitlist of companies and individuals and expects to serve its first environmental Asbo - antisocial behaviour order - under the new powers later this year. Martin Brocklehurst, head of waste strategy with the agency, said it would allow more rapid action to protect communities from firms that ran unlicensed waste disposal services.
"We had a case recently when a director was eventually sent to jail for that sort of activity, but the problem ran for over a year. There were vehicles moving at unsocial hours and material burnt with noxious fumes and black smoke but there was not a lot we could do until the case went to court. Now, with the Asbo powers, we could stop that."
Fly-tipping prosecutions can be difficult, he added, because of the need to prove individual responsibility in court. "The Asbo will take a lower level of proof. If you can show an association to the satisfaction of the magistrates court then you can serve an Asbo, because it's about protecting the public from the activity."
The Environment Agency says it will also apply for the orders to prevent antisocial activity on and around rivers and waterways it looks after, such as those who vandalise locks or gather in intimidating groups, as well as organisations that create too much noise as part of their licensed operations. The powers, announced by the Home Office in December, came into force yesterday.
Separately, David Cameron yesterday called on the government to introduce annual targets to reduce the UK's carbon dioxide emissions. Sharing a platform with Tony Juniper, head of Friends of the Earth, the Conservative leader said: "Despite many speeches and pronouncements on this vital issue by everyone from the prime minister to the lowest parliamentary under secretary, ministers' rhetoric is failing to translate into government action that in any way matches up to the scale of the challenge."
Mr Cameron said he supported calls for a climate change bill to be included in the next Queen's speech to ensure the UK meets a long-standing ambition to slash greenhouse gas pollution by 60% by 2050.
News Source
http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/anti-so...nder_new_rules/ (http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/anti-social_behaviour/rogue_rubbish_dumpers_risk_asbo_penalty_under_new_ rules/)