A local authority will be working closer with police to stop an increase in fly-tipping, with four stop-and-searches last week.

Swale council has said it wants to crackdown on the illegal activity and prosecute those responsible by targeting waste carriers in the borough.

The local authority, which has teamed up with Kent Police’s Rural Task Force to carry out inquiries and gather evidence, says four vehicles were stopped last week, with three fixed penalty notices (FPNs) being handed out as a result.

The FPNs were given to two people - one of whom for failing to register as a waste carrier and then failing to produce a waste transfer note (WTN) when stopped on Eurolink Way in Sittingbourne.

The second incident took place on Old Ferry Road in Iwade, when a different person failed to produce a WTN.

This means they were a registered carrier, but did not have a WTN for that load saying where it was from.

The remaining two stop and searches did not lead to action as the relevant documents were provided when asked.

An offender of fly-tipping can receive a fixed penalty notice of £400, reduced to £300 if paid within 10 days, with those refusing to pay prosecuted in court.

Cllr Rich Lehmann (Boughton & Courtenay, Green), chair of the environment committee at Swale council, said: “Fly-tipping is something which affects us all.

“Dumping waste in our towns and across our countryside is irresponsible and thoughtless.

“Although the low rates being offered by some carriers may seem like a cheap and easy way to clear your waste, it could land you with a large fine.

“If using a waste carrier, it’s your responsibility to make sure they’re licensed - if any illegally carried or dumped waste leads back to you, you could receive a £400 FPN."

Swale council say more of these action days are to take place across the county in the future.