Operation Barn Owl Swoops After Fly Tipping in Larkhill

Wiltshire Council has issued its first fixed penalty notice (FPN) under the recently launched Operation Barn Owl, a collaborative initiative aimed at tackling fly-tipping across Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA).

Operation Barn Owl is a joint effort between Wiltshire Council, HQ Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA), Wiltshire Police and the Wiltshire Rural Crime Partnership. It is designed to protect the unique landscape of Salisbury Plain and hold offenders accountable.

The £600 FPN was issued to a Marlborough resident who failed to ensure their waste was disposed of legally. The person had used an unlicensed waste carrier to remove construction waste from their property. The waste was later discovered fly-tipped near Larkhill and reported to the council’s Environmental Enforcement team.

Following an investigation, officers traced the dumped materials back to the resident. As they were unable to provide any details that could help identify the person responsible, they were held accountable under their legal duty of care.

Because an FPN is not a conviction in court, the person cannot be named.

Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “This first FPN under Operation Barn Owl sends a clear message: fly-tipping will not be tolerated anywhere in Wiltshire, including remote areas like Salisbury Plain. 

“Everyone has a legal duty of care to ensure their waste is disposed of properly. If you use an unlicensed waste carrier, such as those who advertise on social media, and your waste is then dumped illegally, you can be fined or even prosecuted.”

Maj Andrew Riddell, DIO’s Training Safety Officer for HQ SPTA, said: “We are delighted that Operation Barn Owl is having a positive impact. Salisbury Plain Training Area is first and foremost a military training area, so it is crucial that it is kept clear of waste. That means our military can train safely and without interruption and the taxpayer doesn’t have to foot the bill for the cleanup.”

Landmarc Area Delivery Manager, Doug North, added: “The Salisbury Plain Training Area is one of the most important natural and training landscapes in the country and keeping it free from fly-tipping requires a joint effort. We are pleased to be working closely with Wiltshire Council, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Wiltshire Police to ensure that those who misuse the area are held accountable.”

When using a waste removal service, residents are reminded to always:

• Check that any waste carrier is registered with the Environment Agency and ask for their waste carrier’s licence number.
• Record the vehicle registration, make and model.
• Request a written receipt or invoice for the service.

To verify a waste carrier’s licence, people can visit the Environment Agency website: https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers.