According to NRW, commercial landlords are “frequently targeted” by waste criminals, with many leaving buildings full of waste and structurally damaged.
The Welsh regulator added that landlords are then left with cleaning and repair bills and are legally responsible for the waste and its removal.
Along with its warning, NRW has released guidance to help prevent landlords from “falling victim” to waste crime.
The guidance consists of a film and a dedicated page on NRW’s website highlighting the problem, and can be viewed here.
‘Vulnerable and unaware’
Adrian Evans, lead specialist advisor for tackling waste crime said: “Waste criminals look to exploit the vulnerable and unaware, but landlords can help protect themselves by following some good practice guidelines.
“These include, carrying out proper due diligence out on all prospective tenants; ensuring that prospective tenants provide evidence that they have all the necessary permits and permissions for the proposed operation; carrying out periodic inspections and audits of their properties.
“Waste criminals are often very plausible and will claim to be carrying out non-waste related activities using false identities and paperwork to deceive landlords”.
Environment Agency
Elsewhere, the Environment Agency said that a Dereham garage proprietor has received a suspended prison sentence for storing waste illegally, despite repeated warnings.
On 4 November, Colin Barnes of Podmore Lane, Scarning, Dereham, Norfolk returned to Norwich Magistrates’ Court after an earlier appearance on 12 May 2021.
The Environment Agency said that at the earlier appearance, Mr Barnes admitted to storing end of life motor vehicles, car parts, gear boxes and suspension units illegally at his site in Podmore Lane.
His sentence was deferred for 6 months, with a warning that failure to clear the site would result in a prison sentence.
When officers returned to inspect the site in October, however, the Agency saw “little improvement”.
Mr Barnes was told on 4 November that his prison sentence would be suspended for 2 years and that he must “remediate the site” by 17 January 2022. He was also ordered to pay costs of £8,289.79 and a victim surcharge of £150 within 28 days.
‘Custodial sentence’
After hearing the verdict, enforcement team leader for East Anglia Area Lesley Robertson commented: ”This case shows why we pursue offenders through the courts. Magistrates will not hesitate to impose a custodial sentence where necessary.
“Storing and treating waste illegally without an environmental permit meant that Mr Barnes operated at a commercial advantage, undermining legitimate business. Owning a piece of land means accepting a responsibility to the surrounding area and all that resides there, be it business, homes or wildlife.”
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Waste Crime Conference | 02 December | Pinsent Masons
The Waste Crime conference will explore types of waste crime, actions that have been taken to target the problem and future steps. Join us to discuss the key challenges facing the industry. This one day event is a must attend for anyone that works to prevent and enforce or is affected by waste crime including theft, illegal sites and fly tipping.
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