Essex Police has conducted an operation to prevent and detect unlawful flytipping along the Essex/London border.

Officers from the Local Police Support Unit, Casualty Reduction Unit, and Special Constabulary visited a number of locations in the M25 corridor focusing in the Brentwood district overnight on Friday, April 21.

They were joined by Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Jane Gardner, and Suzanne Harris, from the Rural Community Council of Essex.

Officers visited vulnerable sites, carried out vehicle stops, and utilised automatic number plate recognition technology and an Essex Police drone to disrupt, detect, and defer offenders.

Using intelligence from the Environment Agency, officers were able to direct their patrols to targeted areas.

Pc Andy Long, Rural and Heritage Crime Officer, said: “This was a positive night of action to tackle an issue the public have told us they feel very strongly about.

“This disruption technique was successful with no flytipping occurring during the operation.

“Flytipping is an offence that can cause misery to those affected and can have a significant impact on the environment.

“Essex Police works closely with local authorities, the Environment Agency, and other partners to tackle.

“We urge anyone who has information relating to fly tipping contact the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or visit www.essex.police.uk to report it online.”