Rogue scrap metal collector prosecuted by Wiltshire Council 

Wiltshire Council has prosecuted an unlicensed scrap metal and waste collector after officers from Wiltshire Police spotted a man collecting scrap metal from addresses in Swindon.   

Mr Mark Tapp of Gable Close, Abbey Meads, Swindon, was found guilty in absentia to operating an unlicensed scrap metal collection business.  

At the hearing, held at Swindon Magistrates Court on Friday 14 February, he was ordered to pay £3,030 in fines and costs.   

Mr Tapp was spotted by a Wiltshire Police officer in May 2024 collecting rubbish and scrap metal from addresses in Swindon. The vehicle he was driving, a White Ford Transit Tipper, was also towing a small trailer and both were full of scrap metal items including washing machines, a motorcycle frame, sheet metal, piping and a bed frame.  

When questioned, he advised that he worked for Wiltshire Junk Busters and that he takes the collected scrap metal to metal dealers in Swindon and Pewsey.  

Wiltshire Junk Busters had been advertising on social media sites offering free rubbish collection and the collection of scrap metal for cash. The collection of scrap metal for cash was made illegal under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act in 2013. 

The council's Environmental Enforcement Team had also received a report of a scrap metal collector touting for scrap metal collection over a loudspeaker while driving around Pewsey. Officers were able to trace the vehicle to Mr Tapp with the assistance of witnesses. 

Any individuals or businesses who carry waste must register with the Environment Agency under the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 and Waste Regulations 2011.  All scrap metal dealers will be subject to background and suitability checks before being issued with a licence.  

When investigated by officers from the council's Environmental Enforcement Team, it was found that no waste carrier licence was registered for either Mr Tapp or Wiltshire Junk Busters. In addition, Wiltshire Council identified that both were not licensed to trade in scrap metal in Wiltshire. Officers had seized the list of transactions made by Mr Tapp with the scrap metal dealers, which were used as evidence that he was illegally trading the scrap metal. 

Cllr Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Highways and Streetscene, said: "We are working hard to stop rogue traders such as this from operating in Wiltshire. Not only is what they are doing illegal but it could also take business away from our genuine businesses and put our residents at risk of being fined or prosecuted too. I'd like to thank Wiltshire Police who worked closely with our investigators to bring this offender to justice and the witness who assisted by providing the team with crucial evidence. 

"Our Stop at Source (SAS) campaign is designed to educate businesses and residents in correct waste management and how to look out for rogue traders. People who use social media sites to find waste collectors should ensure that they write down the waste carriers licence number and vehicle registration number and obtain waste transfer documents, as this could help to protect them from also being fined.  

"As this case shows, we take unlicensed waste and scrap metal collection very seriously, and we will work hard to prosecute offenders."  

To find out more about the Stop at Source (SAS) campaign and correct ways to dispose of waste, people should visit our website