Joint operation cracks down on rogue traders

Public sector organisations across Neath Port Talbot joined forces this week in a special operation to crack down on rogue traders.

Officers from the Council’s Waste Enforcement team, Licensing Section and Trading Standards Services worked closely with officers from South Wales Police to make sure that light commercial vehicles, carrying waste or scrap metal were operating within the law.

During the day, static sites were set up in two locations in the county borough, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The purpose of these was to provide a fully equipped point where vehicles and their contents could be inspected by officers. Facilities at the sites included weigh pads and a police vehicle for interviews.

Throughout the operation, Police mobile units carrying officers from each organisation, patrolled various roads in the area, looking out for light commercial vehicles which looked to be operating suspiciously. This might have included carrying waste without being registered to do so or dangerously heavy loads.

South Wales Police officers also checked that vehicles were roadworthy and the drivers had the correct insurance cover and driving licence.

Numerous vehicles were found to be legal and above board. However, by the end of the operation a number of infringements were identified and acted upon.

Two vehicles were found to be carrying a significant amount of waste without a waste carriers licence. The drivers will be interviewed under caution to assist with Waste Enforcement enquires to establish whether prosecutions should be pursued.

The Council’s Licensing Section is also currently making enquiries into one of the drivers who was found to be carrying various items of scrap metal in a Ford Transit and has issued a Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 Collectors application form to another who was found to be carrying a combination of materials, some of which included assorted scrap metal items.

A further six individuals who confirmed that they sometimes carry waste were informed that they must be registered to do this as part of their business. ‎They were also advised how to obtain a waste carrier licence.

Due to concerns over the roadworthiness of one vehicle, a HORT1form was issued to the driver. The HORT1 form requires a motorist to take their driving documents to a police station within seven days if they can’t produce them when stopped.

A prohibition notice was served by Trading Standards officers when a vehicle was found to be 400kg overweight. To prevent the driver, who was a licensed carrier, from continuing his journey until the vehicle was safe, he was instructed to unload the excess waste and scrap metal and leave this at the static site. The prohibition notice was then lifted after the vehicle had been re-weighed so that the weight was in accordance with the Manufacturer’s plated weight. The driver then disposed of what remained on the van, before returning to collect the excess.

Cllr. Ali Thomas, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council said:

“This collaborative approach is very effective as it enables officers to stop a light commercial vehicle just once and check whether it complies with a number of legal requirements regulated by different organisations. It also sends a message that co-ordinated operations take place in the county borough and that those who violate regulations are likely to be caught.

“It is gratifying to know that the majority of drivers stopped on the day were operating safely and legally and I would like to commend these for their diligence. I would also like to commend all officers who took part.”

Chief Inspector Joanna Williams of Neath Port Talbot Police said: “A multi-agency response to rogue trader offences is essential and this was a very successful operation.

“We will continue to work together with our partner agencies to tackle this issue which unfortunately is often linked to metal theft and vulnerable members of our communities being targeted by unscrupulous traders.

“As well as the enforcement action taken on the day, the operation will also serve to disrupt individuals involved in illegal activities.”