The new Waste Crime Crackdown Group will identify and address vulnerabilities within the waste system that are exploited by criminals, aiming to dismantle organised waste gangs. This initiative follows a directive from the Prime Minister to reverse the trend of illegal waste sites impacting communities.
At its inaugural meeting, the group will focus on enhancing enforcement against those involved in illegal dumping and improving intelligence sharing. The Secretary of State has tasked the group with exploring further enforcement powers to combat criminal organisations effectively.
Enforcement measures have already been strengthened, with 36 arrests made since April this year, alongside prosecutions, investigations, and raids nationwide. The Environment Agency is deploying more drones, Mayors are playing a greater role in local waste crime tackling, and fines for illegal dumping have been increased.
Notable successes include the clearance of illegal sites at Kidlington and Hoad’s Wood, with suspects arrested and investigations ongoing. Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle stated, "For too long communities have been left to live with the consequences of waste crime. I am changing that. Our tougher enforcement is already showing results with arrests ramping up. But these are organised criminals and we must keep up the pressure to disrupt their operations."
Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, commented, "Getting organised criminals out of our waste system needs everyone to work together: police, regulators and local government. By sharing more intelligence, we can stop criminals getting their hands on waste in the first place."
The government has implemented several key actions, including fines of up to £5,000 for illegal waste dumping, plans to grant the Environment Agency powers to confiscate assets derived from waste crime, and tightening Waste Permit Exemptions. Work is also underway to clear other significant illegal waste sites, such as those at Bolton House Road in Wigan and Midland Road in Bradford.
