A fly-tipper has been forced to pay out nearly £1,000 and had their vehicle seized after being caught dumping rubbish in Thurrock.

Green waste and a large amount of builders' materials were found discarded in Gammon Field Way, Grays on Sunday 19 May and reported to Thurrock Council.

Thanks to CCTV, and as the result of an investigation, Environment Enforcement officers supported the police and seized a white Ford Transit – shown below – from a Grays address on Tuesday 6 August in connection with the fly-tip.

A Thurrock resident was interviewed, subsequently fined £400 and ordered to pay £260 costs and £300 for carrying waste without a licence. The fine and costs have already been paid in full and the vehicle will now be returned.

Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: "We will use all available powers to tackle fly-tipping and have been very clear that this blight is not tolerated in our borough.

"This is the third vehicle that has been seized for fly-tipping in Thurrock within the past 2 months and sends a clear message that we take action against those who commit this crime.

"We will continue to target this problem and ask residents to be our 'extra eyes' in catching people in the act and would-be fly-tippers."