The arrest took place near Preston, Lancashire, yesterday morning (12 October) during a joint operation involving Lancashire Police and the Environment Agency. The man is being questioned in connection with an illegal waste site located at Callerton, near Newcastle Airport in the North East.
This follows a previous arrest in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, last week. That individual was questioned in relation to illegal waste dumping at the former Dewhirst site in Peterlee and at Hart Quarry in Hartlepool. Both men have been bailed pending further enquiries.
The combined waste from these sites amounts to thousands of tonnes. The Callerton site has since been cleared by the landowner. The Environment Agency is intensifying its efforts against waste crime as part of a government commitment to early intervention.
Gary Wallace, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, stated, "We’ve been relentless in our investigation into these sites and two men have now been arrested. We’ll continue to put every effort into taking action against those suspected of being involved. Illegal waste sites are a blight on our communities and the environment, and we’re determined to bring those behind them to justice."
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle commented, "These arrests are an important step in achieving justice for those communities in the North East who have had to put up with the impacts of these appalling illegal waste sites. Through our crackdown we are putting more officers on the frontline and driving faster enforcement and disruption of criminal activities. This government is taking a zero-tolerance approach to waste crime and this action shows we are delivering on our promise to bring these criminals to justice."
The Environment Agency urges anyone with information about waste crime in the region, or who witnesses suspicious activity such as unusual HGV movements onto disused land, to report it. The agency highlights that waste crime is estimated to cost the UK over £1 billion annually and undermines legitimate businesses.
