Would be fly-tippers were caught attempting to dump waste down a country road in Arborfield, according to Wokingham Borough Council.
The council’s anti-social behaviour team stopped two men from throwing a “large amount of clothing” on Sindlesham Road last month.
One of the officers noticed a van “parked suspiciously” on the side of the road, with the occupants appearing to be sorting through “piles” of garments onto the path.
Under caution, the two men claimed they were going to take the unwanted clothes “to a local waste collection service” for disposal, with the officer explaining that the side of a busy road was “not the correct time or place” to be doing so.
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The suspects were asked to show their waste carriers licence – a document showing that they are registered to transport and dispose of waste – which they did, before loading the clothes back into their van.
Their company name, waste carrier’s licence number and van details were noted down, and the two men advised of the council’s “zero-tolerance approach” to fly-tipping before being allowed to leave.
The executive member for environment, sport and leisure, Councillor Ian Shenton thanked the “proactive” officer and called it a “great result”.
“We believe that these two individuals were going to commit a fly-tipping offence and […] they were stopped in their tracks.
“We do not tolerate fly-tipping and anyone caught disposing of waste illegally in our borough will face penalties or prosecution,” Cllr Shenton added.
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