A Croydon man has been prosecuted for illegally transporting scrap metal as part of a joint Sutton Council and police road stop operation.

Scrap metal dealer Michael Smith, of White Horse Road, Croydon, was found guilty of transporting a scrap vehicle while not being a registered waste carrier on the February 19 at Sutton Magistrates Court. Mr Smith was fined £350 and ordered to pay costs of £190.

He was caught out in a road stop operation by council officers and the Metropolitan Police.

Road stops are carried out in the borough to ensure that all waste being transported is being carried legally by responsible waste carriers. The road stop found one other unregistered driver who elected to pay a £300 Fixed Penalty to avoid a court appearance.

Coun Colin Hall, executive member for the environment said: “These joint operations are a highly effective way of making sure waste is being transported legally and safely by registered carriers.

"It shows good partnership working between the council and the police.”