Police have been joining forces with partnership agencies to check up on waste and scrap metal collectors.
Officers from the local Safer Neighbourhood policing teams and the roads policing unit teamed up with staff from VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency), the Environment Agency and High Peak Borough Council to target concerns about illegal waste and scrap collectors from local residents.
Checkpoints were set up on the A6 at Furness Vale and officers stopped a total of 39 vehicles during a four and a half hour long operation on Tuesday, November 9.
Seven collectors were either not registered as scrap metal dealers or did not hold a licence for carrying waste. Five of these were given application packs and further checks are being carried out by officers on the other two drivers.
Those given application packs have 30 days to apply or face a £300 fine.
Prohibition notices requiring faults to be rectified were issued to the drivers of nine vehicles. Prohibitions prevent the owner taking the vehicle on to the public highway and are issued for defects which seriously affect their roadworthiness, with problems such defective tyres, brakes, steering and lighting.
The owner has to put the vehicle through an MOT before they can go back on the road.
High Peak Borough Council is also looking into the details of four drivers who were stopped during the operation over potential benefits offences.
All other carriers were offered advice on the illegal and safe collection of waste and scrap metal.
PCSO Lee Baker of the New Mills and Hayfield Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “We arranged this operation to target the concerns of local residents about potentially illegal scrap metal and waste carriers reported in the area.
It was a successful high visibility operation, which aimed to raise awareness of the laws around scrap metal and waste collection. It also shows that we are being proactive in our response to the concerns of the local community.
Jean Wharmby, Executive Councillor for Social and Community Development, added: The licensing of waste collectors strengthens the arm of the authorities in ensuring that waste is picked up, transported and disposed of in a safe and environmentally-responsible manner.
This joint operation shows that were taking a hard line on rogue operators who are risking hefty penalties every time they take to the road.
If you would like to contact your local Safer Neighbourhood policing team please call 0345 123 33 33 or email from the website: www.derbyshire.police.uk.