BRADFORD Council officers have seized another van which was being used by fly-tippers.

The white Ford Transit, which had been witnessed on three occasions being used to illegally dump rubbish, was taken away after being spotted in Chelwood Drive, Allerton.

Enforcement officers suspect it had been used on numerous occasions to fly-tip including in rural locations around the Thornton and Allerton areas.

The Council will now hold the vehicle for 15 days in order for the keeper to come forward and face questions about the criminal offences.

Once the on-going investigation is complete the vehicle is likely to be scrapped due to its poor condition and to stop it being used for further crime.

Van used for string of fly tipping incidents in Bradford is seized after being found parked on double yellow lines

Laws against environmental crime allow local authorities to seize a vehicle if there is evidence that it has been used for fly-tipping and a there is a suspicion that it may be used again.

Many unlicensed rubbish carriers often advertise their services on social media but people should be aware that if they use those traders to get rid of their rubbish they are also liable if it is fly-tipped and traced back to them.

They can end up with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £250 or a prosecution through the courts if they do not carry out checks to ensure that any waste carrier they use is properly licensed.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “This is another fly-tipper we have put out of business but please be warned that there are others out there offering to get rid of rubbish on the cheap.

“There are lots of legitimate ways to get rid of all your extra rubbish and it’s not expensive to do it properly. Why take the risk of a £250 fine or of ending up in court with a criminal record when the alternatives are easily available.

Man fined after truck was used to dump waste on Norbury Road

“If people disposed of their rubbish legitimately then all the illegal fly-tipping waste carriers would be put out of business.”

If anyone sees fly-tipping taking place, please note down as many details as possible, including vehicle licence plate numbers and inform the council.

Fly-tipping can be reported by calling Bradford Council 01274 43100 or online at www.bradford.gov.uk. The website also contains information about how to dispose of rubbish correctly.

People can check whether contractors taking away their rubbish have a Waste Carriers’ Licence on the Public Register on the Environment Agency website at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency or by ringing 03708 506506.