Vehicles seized due to environmental crime

We have the statutory power to seize any vehicle (this includes any trailer, mobile plant and contents) where it has been used to commit certain waste related crimes.

These powers are contained within The Control of Waste (Dealing with Seized Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (legislation.gov.uk), which sets out the steps that must be taken to seize, store and dispose of any vehicle where it has, or it has believed to have been used in certain offences.

Vehicle seizures -

We will only seize a vehicle if this is the only way we can investigate a waste crime, examples of this include where –

• used to illegally dump rubbish (fly tipping)
• driven by someone who is not an authorised person (commonly referred to as a registered waste carrier)
• involved with an offence on land holding an environmental permit, or exemption from such requirements
• involved with an offence that relates to the legal obligations imposed on waste holders (duty of care) e.g. failure to prevent others from fly tipping wastes or used to transfer wastes to someone who is not an authorised person

Visit the Environment Agency's website for more information on authorised persons

Any vehicles seized by the Council will be held for 15 working days, whilst being investigated and the council notification of any action taken to this effect is notified to Humberside Police and the vehicle's registered keeper (if applicable).

If any seized vehicle is deemed to be polluting the environment or risking harm to human health, a decision may be taken to immediately dispose of the vehicle and a record of this decision will be made.

Any vehicles seized under the Control of Waste (Dealing with Seized Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 will be published by the Council below.

Where a prosecution has been started the Council may retain the vehicle for the duration of the prosecution and a Magistrate will decide whether the vehicle is to be returned to its owner, or surrendered for sale or destruction.

Claiming a seized vehicle

To claim any seized vehicle the owner/registered keeper must provide one of the below forms of identification - 

• passport
• driver's licence

and at least one of the following forms of identification -

• national insurance card
• credit/debit card
• current council tax statement
• current utility bills (no older than three months)
• current lease agreement

Persons claiming any seized vehicles must also provide proof of ownership in the form of a vehicle registration document (V5C) (this must be in your name and address) and provide at least one of the following -

• current insurance certificate
• current MOT certificate
• vehicle excise licence reminder form
• purchase invoice

If we require further proof of legal ownership or identification, we will notify you.

Collecting a seized vehicle

Where the Council is satisfied a person has provided the required identification the vehicle must be claimed within 10 working days. If this fails to take place the Council will sell or dispose of the vehicle and any proceeds set against the seizure costs.

Current notices of vehicles seized

If on reading any attached notice you wish to contact the Council, please call 01482 300 300 or email enviro.crime@hullcc.gov.uk and quote the registration of the vehicle involved and reference number.