A van suspected of being used to illegally store or dump rubbish has been seized as part of a multi-agency crack-down.

More than 30 officers from Croydon Council patrolled Croydon with counterparts from the Metropolitan Police, HM Revenue and Customs and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

The operation ranged from fly-tip patrols in Thornton Heath to vehicle spot checks in Purley Way.

“This kind of operation is a good way for the council and our partners to clamp down on vehicles being driven illegally and to tackle fly-tippers who flout these kind of rules," Councillor Stuart Collins said.

“I’m pleased our dedicated council officers have impounded their 31st van used for fly-tipping, as that makes it harder for criminals to blight our Croydon residents’ local environment.”

Council officers impounded the Ford Transit at around 3.30pm on November 7 after it was spotted parked in Pawsons Road in Thornton Heath with no number plates and building waste and oil drums in the back.

It is the 31st van to be seized in total by Croydon Council as part of the crack-down against fly-tipping

The council will now search for the registered owner, and if they do not come forward the van will be crushed.

Meanwhile, council environmental enforcement officers, police officers and DVSA staff pulled over 40 vans and lorries on Purley Way in Waddon to check drivers had full licences and insurance, were not carrying fly-tipped waste, and that their vehicle was roadworthy.

One delivery driver’s vehicle was seized after DVSA officers found it had faulty brakes.

The operation also led to six people being issued with £80 fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping, plus 11 received parking tickets.