An eight-wheel tipper truck linked to illegal waste dumping across Kent has been seized and crushed.

The vehicle, believed to belong to an organised group operating in south east England, was discovered in February near Iwade, Sittingbourne, during an ongoing waste crime investigation by the Environment Agency (EA).

Footage of the tipper truck being crushed

The truck, which was seen at a number of waste sites across the county and is linked to illegal dumping of waste at commercial properties, was crushed, under EA supervision, by a licenced scrap yard.

It was part of an operation into large scale illegal dumping of commercial waste.

Alan Cansdale, Environment Manager, said: “In cases like this, where the actions of individuals threaten to undermine legitimate businesses, we have no hesitation in using all powers open to us, including crushing their vehicles.

"We continually use reports from the public to build intelligence and target our work at those involved in organised environmental crime and where their activities pose the greatest risk to the environment.

"The power to seize vehicles is an important weapon in our armoury for disrupting this type of criminal activity.

"Our new waste powers mean that tougher action can be taken to reduce illegal waste activity – making a real difference to local communities."

He added: "Using illegal waste dealers may seem tempting in terms of cost, but it can help fund organised crime.

"Everyone has a responsibility for their own waste and if your waste is found at an illegal site you could be facing fines of up to £5,000.

"To avoid this, we encourage members of the public and local businesses to ask their waste carrier for proof of their Waste Carrier’s Registration and to ask to see a ‘waste transfer note’ and take a photo of it on their phone."

Members of the public can report illegal waste activity anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by using the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Read more: All the latest news from Sittingbourne