Garages across the UK are being targeted in a Government crackdown on fly tipping that could see decision-makers face prosecution.

The Environment Agency is rolling out a series of regional initiatives as part of a major campaign to reduce the number of dumped tyres.

Starting in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside, officers will be targeting 1500 tyre dealers, garages, vehicle dismantlers and scrapyards. Bosses will be given information and advice about how to dispose of tyres properly but habitual offenders will be prosecuted.

The campaign aims to make garages aware that they are responsible for ensuring that tyres are disposed of official waste carriers.

Michael Fishwick, managing director of Waste Tyre Solutions, says garages must check carriers have a registration certificate as well as a waste transfer notice signed by both parties.

“Any business that fails to make these checks could be liable for prosecution and an unlimited fine,” he says. An Environment Agency spokesman confirmed that prosecutions were being launched not only against the businesses dumping the tyres but also against the garages failing to fulfil their duty of care.

Clearing illegally dumped tyres cost local authorities £2m a year. Flytipped tyres pollute air, water and land if they are burnt without proper controls.

Although whole tyres can no longer be accepted by landfills sites, licensed tyre collection companies take used tyres to recycling outlets.