A JOINT operation to tackle fly tipping has seen success across the borough.

Cheshire West and Chester Council have again joined forces with Cheshire Constabulary's Rural Crime team to carry out intensive enforcement, identifying fly tipping and waste transfer offences as part of an on-going operation.

'Operation Flycatcher' saw officers examine reported fly-tips across the borough, searching for evidence which may lead them to the offenders. Officers also spoke to residents in the local area and posted letters through doors, asking anyone with information that might help catch those responsible. A number of lines of enquiry are now being followed by investigating officers.

Spot checks of commercial vehicles were also carried out throughout the area. These vehicles were stopped and checks were carried out to make sure that if they were carrying waste they had the required licences and documentation to do so.

Chester and District Standard: Spot checks were conducted on commercial vehicles.Spot checks were conducted on commercial vehicles. (Image: Cheshire Police.)

Mobile CCTV also continues to be located in fly tipping hot spot areas across the borough.

The Councils Cabinet Member for Homes, Planning and Safer Communities, Councillor Christine Warner said: "This operation is part of our continued multi-agency campaign to ensure that unscrupulous individuals and businesses do not get away with disposing of their waste illegally.

"We have shown during these operations and with the continued tireless work by Council Enforcement officers throughout the year, that we will not tolerate fly tipping and other waste crimes in Cheshire West and Chester, and as a result for the first six months of this year reports of fly tipping reduced by 43% compared to the same period last year."