A car rental company from South-West London has been fined over £600 in court after they failed to provide information on a driver who littered from one of their vehicles in Dagenham.

Environmental Enforcement Officers witnessed the driver of a grey BMW drop a cigarette on the floor in Porters Avenue and made no attempt to pick it up.

The offence took place on 14 June 2023 and further investigations found that the registered keeper of the vehicle was Virtuo Technologies Limited, Wimbledon.

A Notice was issued on 22 June 2023 requiring the company to provide the details of the driver at the day and time of the offence within 21 days.

However, Virtuo Technologies ignored the Notice. On the 17 July 2023 they were informed that the council would prosecute if they did not comply within the next seven days.

Again, no action was taken by the company, so ultimately the case went to Barkingside Magistrates Court on 16 April 2024 and the company was found guilty in their absence.

The judge ordered them to pay a Fine of £200, Costs to Barking and Dagenham Council of £383.33 and a Victim Surcharge of £80, totalling £663.33.

Gary Jones, Operational Director for Enforcement, Regulatory Services & Community Safety said: “We won’t stand for anybody making the streets of Barking and Dagenham look messy, whether you’re a resident or a business – if you litter, we will take action.

“They obviously have no respect for our borough and I’m glad that they now have to pay out a huge fine.”