Published: Tuesday, 4th July 2017
The Council seized 12 vehicles last week, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police.
About Operation Stop It!
The rolling operation aims to remove nuisance vehicles from the roads in Greenwich; this includes abandoned vehicles, untaxed vehicles and vehicles suspected of being used for fly-tipping.
Tax checks were carried out on Wednesday 28 June; abandoned and illegal vehicles were then seized by the Royal Borough so that they would no longer cause a health hazard to residents and a risk to motorists.
The most high-profile seizure of the day was the removal of a truck that was being driven on the public highway fully laden with waste. The driver was questioned and the vehicle seized for failing to produce authority to transport waste.
The Royal Borough's Environmental Enforcement team targeted Kellner Road in the morning and multiple roads in Abbey Wood in the afternoon following increased reports of environmental crimes from residents.
Report fly-tipping
Legitimate waste carriers
A legitimate waste carrier must have a Waste Carriers Licence issued by the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency has a publicly accessible register of all licensed waste carriers.
'Do all we can to remove nuisance vehicles'
Councillor Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Environment, said: "The Royal Borough of Greenwich is proud to be working with the Metropolitan Police to do all we can to remove nuisance vehicles from our streets.
"We are sending a clear warning to motorists: those illegally carrying waste can expect fixed penalty notices and even prosecution which could result in suspended custodial sentences, seizure of vehicles and fines that run into thousands of pounds."
'We will not tolerate this sort of crime'
Borough Commander for Greenwich Metropolitan Police Service, Simon Dobinson added: "It is so important that we crack down on illegal vehicles in this borough. We will continue to work closely with the Royal Borough of Greenwich on removing as many illegal vehicles as possible. 'Operation Stop It!' enables us to drive home the message that we will not tolerate this sort of crime."