A Barking restaurant has been found guilty at court and fined thousands of pounds after it for fly-tipping and failing to comply with waste management regulations.

On 21 November 2023, Environmental Enforcement Officers from Barking and Dagenham Council were carrying out a routine foot patrol of the service road at the rear of London Road, Barking. The officers observed a large accumulation of fly-tipped waste, including black refuse sacks, cardboard boxes, and used cooking oil containers. Upon inspection, it was identified that the waste originated from Andrah Spice, located at 3 London Road, Barking.

The officers visited the business and conducted a cautioned interview with the director, who admitted that the waste belonged to his business and that he had fly-tipped it.

On 1 December, the business was issued a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £400 fine for the offence as well being served with a formal notice requiring the business to produce Waste Transfer Notes for the past two years.

The business failed to comply within the prescribed 14-day period, resulting in a further Fixed Penalty Notice being issued on 2 January 2024 for failing to produce the required documents.

The business did not pay either of the FPNs, leading to court proceedings.

On 19 November 2024, the business was found guilty of both offences at Barkingside Magistrates Court and fined £3,000, ordered to pay costs to Barking and Dagenham Council of £1973.29 and Victim Surcharge of £1,200 totalling £6,173.29.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: "Businesses have a responsibility to manage their waste properly and legally. This work by council officers demonstrates our commitment to taking action against those who disregard environmental regulations and contribute to fly-tipping in our community."

The council has also revamped its award-winning Wall of Shame to move away from the longer video format to shorter bitesize videos and mug shot photos for social media and the council newsletter. Officers will also be carrying out localised leaflet drops in hot spot areas featuring fly-tippers. Read more here: www.lbbd.gov.uk/news/2024/you-will-be-caught-councillors-stark-warning-fly-tippers-new-wall-shame-campaign-launched.