Judith calls "times up" for criminal fly tipping in Bradford South

Judith brings together partners from Bradford Council, West Yorkshire Police, Incommunities, local councillors and volunteers.

Judith Cummins, MP for Bradford South, has welcomed the Government’s new Waste Crime Action Plan, the most robust crackdown to date on illegal waste activity. These new measures will see waste criminals facing tougher enforcement action, including additional penalty points on their driving licence and prosecution.

The announcement follows a series of meetings convened by Judith to ensure that there is joint action to tackle criminal fly-tipping, bringing together the police, Bradford Council and Incommunities. Speaking of the joint working approach, Judith said “These tougher penalties need to be enforced to make Bradford South a no-go area for fly-tippers.”

The Government’s Waste Crime Action Plan sets out a zero‑tolerance approach to illegal waste, focusing on prevention by closing loopholes and giving regulators stronger powers to disrupt criminal activity. The plan is backed by an additional £45 million for the Environment Agency to pursue fly‑tippers and organised criminal gangs across England.

Under the proposals, offenders would be ordered to complete up to 20 hours of unpaid work cleaning streets and parks as part of new “clean‑up squads”, as well as being required to pay the full costs of clearing the waste they illegally dumped.

The Government has also pledged to work with the insurance industry to expand coverage and remove barriers that currently leave farmers, businesses and landowners exposed to the cost of clearing illegally dumped waste from their land.

The Environment Agency will be given new police‑style powers to search premises, seize assets and make arrests, and will establish a dedicated Operational Waste Intelligence Unit. The unit will target organised criminal networks using aerial surveillance and financial intelligence.

Commenting on the announcement, Judith said:

“The time needs to be up for waste criminals dumping in Bradford South and I encourage all bodies to use all the powers and sanctions available. Enforcement of these new powers is key to stopping this blight."

“Over the past few months, waste criminals dumping in Bradford South have had their vehicles seized, been fined thousands of pounds, and even jailed for 10 months for dumping hazardous materials. It is only right that enforcement agencies are taking tougher action against those who blight our communities.”

Judith also commended the work of the Telegraph and Argus in campaigning on the issue, commenting that:

“I also want to thank the Telegraph & Argus for their persistent campaigning on the issue.

The new Waste Action Plan is a real step in the right direction. For too long, people living here have had to put up with fly-tipping. Fly-tippers now know that if they dump their waste, there will be real consequences, and I will be working to ensure that those powers are used.”

ENDS