Vehicles seized and drivers reported during rural operation

Untaxed vehicles were seized and drivers reported during a joint operation to tackle fly-tipping and rogue traders.

Kent Police's Rural Task Force worked with Canterbury City Council to carry out checks on vans and trucks carrying waste and scrap metal on Friday 24 March 2023.

Police officers seized two vans which were being driven despite not being taxed and reported five drivers for offences including having an insecure load and driving with no valid MOT certificate.

Representatives of Canterbury City Council meanwhile checked whether those transporting waste had the correct documentation.

Keeping roads safe

The checks were carried out on vehicles around the city, as well as in the villages of Hoath, Hersden and Sturry.

Sergeant Darren Walshaw, of Kent Police's Rural Task Force, said: 'The illegal transporting of waste and scrap metal can be linked to other forms of criminality, so operations of this kind can help us gather valuable intelligence.

'We will continue to work with partner agencies, both to keep our roads free of unsafe vehicles, and our countryside free of fly-tipped waste.'