A second vehicle suspected of being used in fly-tipping which has blighted a community has been taken off the road by council officers.

The adapted Ford Transit flatbed truck was the subject of a seizure by council enforcement officers as part of ongoing work against fly-tippers in the Easington Lane area.

It was seized in Thirlmere Crescent, Shiney Row, shortly before 10am on Friday, November 8.

A Ford Transit flatbed was confiscated in Hetton-le-Hole, on Sunday, October 27.

(Image: Sunderland City Council) Both vehicles are suspected of being used to dispose of waste unlawfully at the former Frosterley Close site, known locally as ‘The Cosy’, in Easington Lane.

Further enquiries about the two vehicles and their owners are continuing.

The seizures are part of the ongoing HALO (Hetton Aspirations Linking Opportunities) Project which also covers neighbouring Easington Lane.

HALO involves Sunderland City Council and its partners, including Northumbria Police, housing group Gentoo, and the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, working together for the community. 

The latest vehicle seizure is the thirtieth the council has confiscated on suspicion of involvement in fly-tipping since August 2019.

Of these, subsequent investigations have led to 17 vehicles being destroyed or sold and others returned to their owners.

Under current legislation, councils are empowered to confiscate any vehicle suspected of involvement in environmental crime such as fly-tipping.

Owners may request the return of their vehicle, but the council will decide on a case-by-case basis.

If a decision is made not to return a vehicle, it may be crushed or sold.

(Image: Sunderland City Council) The council cabinet member for the Environment, Transport and Net Zero, councillor Lindsey Leonard, said: "Fly-tipping blights neighbourhoods and is unacceptable.

“Householders also have a 'duty of care' to ensure that their waste is disposed of legally by private collectors.”

She urged anyone arranging to have waste removed to first check details as if it goes on to be illegally dumped it could leave the householder with a big bill.

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Anyone planning to use a private waste collector should check with the Environment Agency that the person, or company concerned, has a valid waste carrier licence.

Further details can be found via: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/access-the-public-register-for-environmental-information

Anyone witnessing fly-tipping can report it anonymously via: https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/report-flytipping, or by calling 0191 520 5550.