People urged to be cautious of scrap and waste collectors adverts as more illegal waste operators are prosecuted by Wiltshire Council

A man has been fined for operating an unlicensed and illegal scrap metal business after being successfully prosecuted by Wiltshire Council.

On Thursday 4 August 2022, Mr Warren Chant, 34, of Westwood Road, Salisbury pleaded guilty to environmental offences.

Mr Chant appeared at Salisbury Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to transporting waste without a waste carriers' licence and operating an unlicensed and illegal scrap metal business. Mr Chant was fined £514 for the offences, including court costs. 

Mr Chant's co-defendant, Mr Steven Dickel, 38, of Westwood Road, Salisbury pleaded guilty at the same hearing to operating an unlicensed and illegal scrap metal business, and for failing to produce a waste carriers' licence. Mr Dickel's case has been referred to Salisbury Crown Court for a 'proceeds of crime' and sentencing hearing at a later date.

Cllr Laura Mayes, Deputy Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: We will continue to target illegal scrap and waste collectors as part of our zero-tolerance approach to environmental crimes in Wiltshire.

Illegal waste collectors are doing untold damage to the environment. They undercut legitimate businesses, and they have not been checked by HMRC to ensure they are paying the correct taxes.

I would urge administrators of any local social media buy and sell groups to check anyone advertising their services is licensed by the Environment Agency for a waste carrier licence, or Wiltshire Council for a scrap metal licence. People could receive a fine of up to £400 for giving their waste to illegal waste collectors.

Before using any scrap metal collector, people should take the following steps:

• view the company upper tier waste carriers' licence
• view the company scrap metal dealer licence
• check that their hologram photocard licence is displayed in the vehicle

People are advised to be extremely cautious of 'cash for scrap' operators within the county. It is illegal for these transactions to take place using cash, and this should serve as an early warning sign that the business is not legitimate.

Residents can report anyone who they believe to be an unlicensed scrap metal collector using Wiltshire Council's online reporting system, MyWilts at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/mywilts-online-reporting.

More information is available at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/licences-permits-scrap-metal.