Fly Tippers caught red handed... and nothing done!

[Four Litre]

I live in a village just outside of London and have the pleasure of not one but two 'traveller' sites at the other end of the village. Over the past few years we've had a major problem with tipper trucks fly tipping, blocking roads and any carpark they can think of.

So out of my daily morning dog walk (8.30) we are coming home and I see a lovely 'traveller class' tipper truck pull into the carpark of the sports ground, piled high with builders bags and all sorts of crap and start unloading. I've taken a load of photos of them unloading and even had to time to take an HD movie!! I then called the police who seemed slightly interested but didn't show up!

Having got home, had to get on with work and so I called up the police for an update whilst grabbing lunch and to again tell them I have photos and a movie of the crime, apart from tumbleweed blowing by all they could say was that they had called the council to clear it up and that I could get in touch with them If I liked!!!

Now I cant let this go, I called up the council and they said they cant do anything unless I am willing to stand up in court and give evidence. Given that this would be against a whole travelled camp at the end of my road, I'm not that stupid. Apparently without this a prosecution cant be achieved.

For any legal types out there is this true, as I'm gutted they get away with this again and again and nobody in their right mind can give evidence against them without serious repercussions.

Before any keyboard warrior types tell me I should of dominated the car park. Its wasn't an option as I'm pending an operation for a fracture to my lower spine, and again, aren't that stupid!

Edited by Four Litre on Monday 26th October 15:25

Edited by Four Litre on Monday 26th October 15:30

Edited by Four Litre on Monday 26th October 15:31

[Four Litre]

PorkInsider said:

They're misunderstood.

enriching the car park with culture?

[Four Litre]

Breadvan72 said:

1. No prosecution can proceed without evidence. OP, if you won't give evidence, the case can't proceed.

2. The police and CPS do succeed against travellers, who make up a disproportionately large percentage of the prison population.

So I have supplied evidence, however they are saying without me attending court etc, it cant be used.

[Four Litre]

Breadvan72 said:

Criminal courts apply strict rules of evidence. Hearsay is only admissible in limited circumstances.

Hearsay is representation of fact or opinion made by a person otherwise than in oral evidence in court, when tendered as evidence of any fact asserted. Thus a photo or a film is hearsay and calls for verification by oral evidence.

Thanks Breadvan, clears it up. Whilst snapping away I thought, if I take a movie of the crime, surely this is all they need. The council told me that as its taken by a member of the public it needs to be backed up with a name and attendance in court.

Most people I would be willing to ensure crime doesn't pay, in this instance they will live to fly tip another day...and another.... and another.... and another....

[Four Litre]

Bigends said:

Centurion07 said:

I accept there are examples where a witness statement would be needed to corroborate but to just automatically apply that to EVERY instance is ridiculous.

Also, as long as the judge and defence team are satisfied as to the identity of the witness, why can they not remain anonymous in court with a screen or suchlike? I'm assuming that kind of thing is only granted in serious cases?

They can remain anonymous to the offenders. I posted earlier about special measures in place for vulnerable or intimidated witnesses

I wouldn't trust the police and certainly not the council to make a total mess of it and give out my name and address. As stated its a small village and we have 2 traveler camps at the bottom of the hill. The only way to resolve the matter should my name come to light would be to move away with a view to never coming back.

That's not me being a pussy either, as most of you will know, it doesn't matter how hard you are, you wont win with them, crazy to think you will. And it certainly would turn nasty.

Thinking about it now, its why they were doing it as bold as brass in the daylight with cars pulling in, nobody can do anything apart from the police catching them red handed and that's nigh impossible nowadays.