Central Bedfordshire Council news and press releases

Luton resident ordered to pay over £2,000 for fly-tipping after failing to appear in court

Thursday, 22 August 2024

A Luton resident, Mr Zohib Haq, has been fined a total of £2,185 after being convicted in his absence at Luton Magistrates' Court on 2 August 2024.

The waste was dumped along Woodside Road, Luton, an area covered by us. We began an investigation having received a complaint about the fly tipping.

The waste, traced back to Mr Haq, included car parts and general refuse which he claimed to have paid someone to dispose of the waste. We issued Mr Haq with a Fixed Penalty Notice which he failed to pay, and he also failed to attend a required interview under caution. As a result, we began legal proceedings.

Mr Haq was fined £660, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £264, and costs of £1,261. Investigations into identifying the individual who dumped the waste continue.

The Executive Member with responsibility for community safety, Councillor Steve Owen said:

We know residents want us to do what we can to reduce fly-tipping across Central Bedfordshire – one of the ways we can do that is by clamping down on those who dispose of their waste illegally and bringing them to justice. We're working hard to tackle this issue, and we know that only a very small minority of people dispose of waste irresponsibly. People can help further by making sure that anyone you hire to take away your waste has a valid waste carrier’s licence and get the proper paperwork as proof.

We are urging communities to work together and share information to help catch fly-tippers. Anyone who witnesses fly-tipping or wants to report a fly-tip can visit our website, call 0300 300 8302, or email customers@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.