A Histon couple are fighting a fly tipping allegation after an envelope with their address on was found in a pile of dumped bin bags. Jo Franklin, end of life support worker for the charity HI Friends, and her husband Andrew, are cooperating fully with the Cambridge City Council investigation.
“Anyone could find themselves in this situation,” Jo warns, “the experience so far has been very stressful.”
‘Not our rubbish…’
The Council claims an envelope with the Franklins’ name and address on it was found in a pile of household waste in bin bags dumped in Barnwell Road, Cambridge – six miles from their home. The rubbish had been placed next to large industrial bins.
Inspecting the photographic evidence sent to them, Jo says the envelope appears to be from a Christmas card and their house number was crossed out and corrected on it. She says they do not use any of the household products photographed from the bin bags. They had never previously been to the location but visited after receiving the letter from the enforcement officer.
Jo, who has previously helped on litter picks in the village, said: “I know this is not our rubbish and we did not do this. We are now going through the motions to prove our innocence; but I’m still worried despite the fact I know we have done nothing wrong.
“This could happen to anybody and I feel it’s important to warn the community. All it takes is one item with someone’s name and address being found in the wrong place.”
She added: “We shred and rip up anything with our personal details on and then put it in the recycling. But this shows none of us have control over what happens outside our own homes.”
Households ‘duty of care’
Cambridge City Council’s letter to the couple dated 11 February explained householders “have a duty of care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990” to ensure their waste is disposed of “in an appropriate manner and with a registered waste carrier”.
“Any breach of the duty or fly tipping is a serious criminal offence,” the letter states.
It later explains: “In this case, the evidence […] obtained so far suggests that you may have had some involvement in the matter, therefore please find enclosed with this letter a notice containing questions relating to the waste that was found.”
Next steps
Jo and Andrew were offered a number of options and have chosen to be interviewed under caution to help the Council with its enquiries. At time of writing, they were waiting to hear back on a date. They have also been liaising with councillors in Barnwell and in the village – and say H&I Parish Council has been “very supportive”.
A spokesperson for Cambridge City Council said: “As part of our standard investigative process, individuals linked to evidence found in fly tipped waste may be invited to provide an explanation, either in writing or through an interview under caution.
“The council is committed to tackling fly tipping, which is a serious environmental crime.”
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