Council named as finalist in prestigious awards

Thurrock Council has been recognised for its positive work in the fight against environmental crime after it was shortlisted for a national award.

The council’s environmental enforcement team was recently announced as a finalist for Environmental Team of the Year in the prestigious Keep Britain Tidy Awards 2020. Nominations in this category champion a team that is integral to an organisation, has an impact on the local area and continues to achieve top results.

Environmental enforcement officers have demonstrated their commitment to ensuring Thurrock’s streets are cleaner and safer through extensive collaborative work with Essex Police in operations to tackle anti-social behaviour including nuisance motorbike riders, graffiti and nitrous oxide canisters. These joint initiatives have resulted in fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping, littering and fly-posting, as well as a number of community protection warning notices.

Further work includes Thurrock Council being awarded an interim injunction to prevent unauthorised encampments anywhere on public and private land in the borough without lawful permission; team members working outside working hours to enforce on illegal activity in Thurrock particularly concerning fly-tipping; and successfully passing training to use devolved powers from Essex Police in the seizure and confiscation of alcohol.

Cllr Shane Hebb, Deputy Leader of Thurrock Council, said:

“Since its formation a year ago in 2018, our environmental enforcement team continues to prove that it is a force to be reckoned with.

“We have received a reduction in the number of reports about anti-social behaviour related crime, and to date action taken against fly-tipping has increased significantly. We have seized four vehicles linked to fly-tipping since April this year and had 204 £400 fines issued in the same time period, demonstrating that we do not tolerate this behaviour in Thurrock.

“Congratulations to the team on their nomination.”

The annual Keep Britain Tidy Awards celebrates councils that demonstrate best practice in improving the environment on its residents’ doorsteps. Winners will be announced at the Keep Britain Tidy Network Conference on Thursday, 6 February 2020.For more information about Thurrock Council’s environmental work, visit: thurrock.gov.uk/environment-and-safety