Hundreds fined for fly-tipping and thousands of counterfeit goods have been seized in council crackdown

Hundreds of people have been fined for fly-tipping and more than 200,000 illegal cigarettes were seized across Tameside last year.

Over the course of 2024, the council’s enforcement officers took on 10,000 public protection investigations and requests during to keep the borough clean and safe. The activity, carried out by council officers, has included 16 prosecutions against people fly-tipping and 345 Fixed Penalty Notice issued by the waste enforcement team for waste related offences.

Trading Standards also worked on 14 prosecutions; investigated 101 scams and 19 under age sales; and seized 7,953 illegal e-cigarettes, over 200,000 illegal cigarettes and over 43kg of illegal hand rolling tobacco. 

Trade in illicit tobacco, cigarettes and e-cigarettes supports crime rings, damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people – according to town hall bosses.

Tameside Council’s executive member for environmental services and neighbourhood, Coun Laura Boyle said: “We have officers out every day working with businesses and residents to make Tameside safer and cleaner and these figures showcase the breadth and vast scale of this public protection activity.

“Everyone has a responsibility to take pride in neighbourhoods and keep them clean and tidy. Thank you to everyone who works with the council to protect the local community and environment.”

The local authority has also carried out 153 food standards inspections, actioned 591 requests for service and completed 71 Buy With Confidence checks.

Environmental health officers were busy as well, undertaking 955 food hygiene and health and safety inspections and following up 1649 complaints and requests for service.