Sheffield City Council and South Yorkshire Police were also involved in what the council called “the largest single seizure of vehicles for fly-tipping undertaken in the UK since legislation changed allowing councils to take direct action from the end of 2016”. The vehicles were seized in Sheffield but it is understood they have been linked to fly-tipping offences in Rotherham. A council spokeswoman said the councils and police were beginning the process of prosecuting the vehicles’ owners. The council has previously seized four other vehicles for similar offences, the first of which was crushed and displayed outside council offices to deter others from illegal dumping in the borough.

Cabinet member for waste, roads and community safety, Cllr Emma Hoddinott, said: “This joint operation is the largest of its kind in the UK, and is an important step in tackling fly-tipping in our area. “It’s a blight on our environment and we are determined to use all the powers we can to prosecute those who do it.”

Chief Supt Rob Odell, district commander for Rotherham, added: “We’re happy to support Rotherham Council on operations such as this, to improve the lives of our communities.” The council said environmental crime currently cost Rotherham £1.7 million a year, including more than £250,000 on removing fly tipping.