Operation Barn Owl takes flight with first fly-tipping fine

Operation Barn Owl Takes Flight with First Fly-Tipping Fine

Wiltshire Council has issued its first fixed penalty notice (FPN) under the recently launched Operation Barn Owl, a joint initiative to combat illegal waste dumping across the Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA).

Collaborative Action Against Fly-Tipping

Operation Barn Owl brings together Wiltshire Council, the HQ Salisbury Plain Training Area, Wiltshire Police, and the Wiltshire Rural Crime Partnership. The program is focused on preserving the unique landscape of Salisbury Plain and ensuring that those responsible for environmental offenses are held accountable.

Details of the First Penalty

A £600 fixed penalty was issued to a resident of Marlborough who neglected their legal duty to dispose of waste properly. The individual hired an unlicensed waste carrier to remove construction debris from their property.

Investigation and Outcome

The discarded waste was later discovered near Larkhill and reported to Wiltshire Council’s Environmental Enforcement team. After a thorough investigation, officers traced the dumped material back to the Marlborough resident.

As the individual could not provide information identifying the person responsible, they were held accountable under their duty of care.

About Operation Barn Owl

The initiative reflects a growing commitment among local authorities and partners to address environmental crimes and encourage responsible waste management practices across Wiltshire.

Author’s summary: Operation Barn Owl, a multi-agency effort in Wiltshire, issued its first fine to a Marlborough resident for failing to ensure legal waste disposal, reinforcing accountability in waste management.

Wiltshire Council — 2025-11-07