Travellers fined following last summer’s big flytip on Tooting Common - London

From Wandsworth.gov.uk

Three suspected members of the travelling community who were part of last summer’s illegal encampment on Tooting Common have been heavily fined by magistrates after the council took legal action against them.

Vehicles associated with the men were suspected of involvement in the dumping of huge amounts of waste and rubbish on the common in September during a three day occupation by a group of Travellers.

Around 40 tonnes of timber, rubble, mattresses, furniture and other household waste appeared on the common at the same time as the Travellers, who’d arrived in a fleet of 19 caravans, cars and transit vans.

Following a joint investigation by the council and the Met Police, evidence was compiled linking Patrick and Frances Corcoran, both of St Andrew’s Crescent in Wellinborough, Northamptonshire and Lionel Brown of Tavistock Road, West Drayton, Middlesex with flat-bed trucks and transit vans that were believed to be involved in the dumping of the rubbish.

The trio were all sent legal notices by the council requiring them to confirm that they were using the vehicles at the time, and if they were not, to divulge who was.

All three failed to respond, prompting the council to prosecute them for failing to provide the details contrary to the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1972.

At South Western magistrates court on Wednesday all three were convicted in their absence and each was fined £500 and ordered to pay costs of £225 plus a victim surcharge of £50.

If they do not pay the fines, their names and the details of their vehicles are likely to be placed on the police national computer, meaning they could face immediate arrest and a spell in custody if they are stopped and questioned by any police force in the country.

The council’s environment spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook said: “There is sufficient evidence to believe that vehicles connected to these men were involved in the disgusting mess that was left behind on the common last year.

“Their failure to say who was in charge of their trucks and vans at the time was sufficient grounds for us to take them to court and ask magistrates to impose a punishment.

“Although we were not able to prosecute them for the flytipping itself, we have certainly hit them in the pocket and we hope this will deter people from dumping waste on Tooting Common or anywhere else in the borough in future. We also hope the message will fan out among the travelling community that we will explore every possible legal avenue to bring people to account if waste is dumped in our parks and open spaces.”

Cllr Cook also repeated his message to residents to say a resounding no to cold-callers who offer to take away rubbish, adding: "If someone knocks on your door and offers to take away any DIY or home improvement waste or rubble that’s being stored in your front garden, then there is a good chance they will take your money, drive around the corner and dump the rubbish in the street or in a local park.

“It’s also important to make sure that if you are employing builders to carry out works to your property that you know exactly how they’re disposing of any waste materials.”

Strict environmental protection laws prohibit the transport of waste by unregistered and unlicensed contractors. This is to ensure that the waste is lawfully disposed of rather then being illegally dumped.

Residents employing a waste removal firm should always ask to see the relevant waste transfer notes to ensure it is being disposed of lawfully and they should also ask to see a waste carrier’s licence.

Companies that offer to transport and remove waste on behalf of others must have a carrier's license issued by the Environment Agency.

Residents wanting rubbish cleared can call the town hall on (020) 8871 8558. The council will remove waste for a modest fee. If households choose a licensed private contractor instead they must make sure they get a proper receipt.

Anyone with information about cowboy operators dumping rubbish should telephone (020) 8871 6396. All calls will be treated in confidence.

Residents who witness any incident involving Travellers on council-owned land are being urged to contact the town hall's emergency response team on (020) 8871 6900. This is a 24 hour service. Occupations of other land should be reported immediately to the police.

The council provides an approved Travellers site in Trewint Street, Earlsfield.

see also: ITV - Travellers heavily fined for putting '40 tonnes' of waste on Tooting Common