Concerns about an increase in offences surrounding the dumping of commercial waste saw dozens of drivers stopped and spoken to as part of a dedicated campaign to combat the crime last week.

Officers from the Commercial Vehicles Unit and Rural Crime Team worked together with Trading Standards during the operation last Tuesday (June 22nd).

The activity was carried out in Hastings in response to concerns in the local community about an increase in offences and a total of 50 vehicles were stopped at various locations throughout the town, with a number of fixed penalty notices and words of advice being issued.

In addition, a 45-year-old man from Hastings was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving. He has been released under investigation, pending further enquiries.

Sergeant Matt Chapman, of the Hastings Licensing and Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “During this day of action, we focused on commercial vehicles specifically in relation to waste licensing, theft of scrap metal and catalytic converters, rogue traders and road traffic offences. This was in response to community concerns and an increase in fly-tipping, but also formed part of our routine policing duties to prevent and detect criminality, and take action against offenders.

“The vast majority of road users we spoke to were fully cooperative and had committed no offence. However, we will continue to work in partnership with the local authority to drive all types of criminality down.”