In response to the escalating incidents of fly-tipping along Grange Road in Batley, covert cameras were installed to monitor the area where most of these illegal activities took place.
Despite the presence of prominent signs stating “no fly-tipping” and “CCTV in operation,” the cameras captured multiple instances of fly-tipping occurring in September 2021. The perpetrators behind these offences were identified as the Warren brothers, who recently faced legal action at Kirklees Magistrates Court on 26 June 2023.
The events leading to their prosecution unfolded in mid-September 2021 when authorities received reports of a fly-tip on Grange Road, Batley. Upon reviewing the CCTV footage, it became apparent that over a span of three consecutive days (8th to 10th September), a white Scania Tipper truck, loaded with soil and hardcore, reversed down Grange Road. Subsequently, the flatbed was raised, and the contents were unlawfully dumped on the road and its surrounding areas. After depositing the waste, the vehicle departed, leaving an empty flatbed in its wake.
Further investigation led to the identification of the vehicle involved in the fly-tipping offence, which was traced back to Hetton Transport Ltd, located nearby at 226 Bradford Road. The sole director of Hetton Transport Ltd, James Matthew Warren, admitted to leasing the vehicle during the time of the offence but claimed that he had sublet it to his brother, William Warren, and was unaware of the illegal dumping.
Additional scrutiny of the CCTV footage overlooking Grange Road revealed similar incidents involving a red Scania Tipper truck on the 16th and 17th of September 2021. The footage captured the red truck reversing down Grange Road with a full load of soil and hardcore. Once again, the flatbed was raised, leading to the disposal of waste materials on the road and surrounding areas. As before, the vehicle left the scene with an empty flatbed.
Further inquiries traced the red truck to W A Holding (Yorkshire) Ltd, also operating from the same premises at 226 Bradford Road. William Andrew Warren, the sole director of W A Holding (Yorkshire) Ltd, claimed responsibility for leasing the vehicle. However, he insisted that an unidentified employee committed the fly-tipping offences without his knowledge.
During the course of the investigation into the companies involved, a call was received from JD Gym on Bradford Road. Staff members reported two additional fly-tipping incidents, which were captured by their CCTV system. These incidents, occurring on the 28th and 30th of September 2021, involved the same red Scania truck and took place on land situated behind the gym.
Subsequently, West Yorkshire Police invoked section 34B of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and seized the vehicle.
Following a full-day trial, the magistrates found both brothers guilty on all counts of contravening Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (fly-tipping) and failing to provide waste transfer documents.
James Matthew Warren, born on 11th December 1987, residing at Moor Lane, Bradford, was convicted and fined £1,096, with an additional £100 surcharge and £879 cost contribution. William Andrew Warren, born on 22nd May 1989, residing at Troon Way, Wakefield, was also found guilty and fined £1,107, accompanied by a £111 surcharge and £1,029 cost contribution.
Although W A Holding (Yorkshire) Ltd and Hetton Transport Ltd were convicted, no separate penalties were imposed on these companies.
Councillor Masood Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment, said; “In these cases, our covert cameras and cooperation from local businesses were the key to helping us successfully locate and prosecute those responsible. We try to place CCTV cameras at as many hotspots as possible, but our teams also rely on businesses and residents to be vigilant and help us to keep Kirklees clean.
Businesses have a duty to use the correct waste disposal methods, including completing waste transfer notes and checking that their waste carriers are registered. There are thousands of businesses in Kirklees who dispose of their waste responsibly, and for the few that think they are above the law, our teams will use everything in their power to track them down and make them pay.”
