TWO companies have been fined for failing to having the correct paperwork to carry and dispose of waste.

Spot checks were carried out as part on an ongoing crackdown on flytipping by Durham County Council, Durham Constabulary, Crimestoppers and the Environment Agency.

Operation Stop It was launched at the beginning of November, since when 22 vehicles have been stopped.

Two drivers found to have no licence or receipts for the waste they were carrying and both were fined £300.

Ian Hoult, neighbourhood protection manager at Durham County Council, said: “While the majority of waste carriers have the correct licence to carry or dispose of waste there are some which are not meeting the legal requirements.

“We are reminding those operators that we do carry out regular checks and we will take appropriate action against those who are found to be without the proper authority to carry or dispose of waste or are caught on camera dumping waste.”

As well as spot checks, members of the council’s neighbourhood warden teams are focusing on investigating incidents of flytipping, using advanced techniques to catch those responsible, including CCTV coverage of flytipping hotspots.

Cllr Brian Stephens, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships at Durham County Council, said: “Flytipping is a criminal offence, which will not be tolerated.

“Not only does dumped waste blight our communities, pollute water ways and damage our natural environment, it is also very costly to the taxpayer to remove and dispose of.

“We are reminding residents that they have a legal duty to ensure that anyone they hire to dispose of waste on their behalf is properly registered and licensed.”

Operation Stop It will continue into 2015.

Flytipping or waste crime incidents can be reported in confidence to Durham County Council on 03000-26-1000 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.