Fly-tipper’s vehicle seized and will be crushed

Tuesday, 16 June 2026 09:46

A vehicle used in a fly-tipping offence is set to be put on public display outside County Hall in Trowbridge before being crushed, in a clear and highly visible warning to anyone considering dumping waste illegally in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Council’s Environmental Enforcement officers launched an investigation after waste was discovered illegally dumped in Bulford on 11 May. The waste, which consisted of plastic pipes, was thrown on a public right of way and the incident was captured on the council’s CCTV cameras.

Following a review of the footage, officers identified the vehicle involved and worked with Wiltshire Police to take swift action and seize the vehicle.

The person responsible for the fly-tip was interviewed under caution and issued with a £1,000 fixed penalty notice (FPN).

Crucially, the driver has failed to provide proof of ownership of the seized vehicle within the required 15-day period and has indicated they have no documentation. As a result, the vehicle has now been forfeited and will be destroyed in line with legal procedures.

Before it is crushed, however, the seized vehicle will be on display outside County Hall in Trowbridge on Thursday 25 June – ensuring the public can clearly see the real-world consequences of fly-tipping.

The display aims to act as a powerful deterrent, highlighting that offenders risk not only fines but also the permanent loss of their vehicles.

The council has significantly increased its covert and overt CCTV capability across the county to deter, detect and take enforcement action against fly-tipping and other environmental crimes. Due to the sensitive nature of these cameras, their locations are not disclosed.

Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “Let this be a clear warning - if you fly-tip in Wiltshire, we will find you, and you will face the consequences. This person not only dumped waste illegally but has now lost their vehicle as a result.

“We are taking the extra step of putting this vehicle on display before it is crushed, so people can see exactly what happens when you choose to damage our environment and ignore the law.

“Fly-tipping is a selfish, criminal act that blights our communities and costs taxpayers thousands of pounds every year. We will not tolerate it, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal – including CCTV, fines, and vehicle seizures – to crack down hard on offenders.”

For more information on how Wiltshire Council tackles fly-tipping, or to report an incident, visit: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/fly-tipping.