A 32-year-old man has been arrested in Sunderland in connection with illegally dumped waste at three sites across the North East. The arrest took place at an address in the city on Thursday morning during a joint operation between Northumbria Police and the Environment Agency.
The arrest follows the discovery of illegally dumped waste at the former Dewhirst site in Thorpe Road, Peterlee, and at Hart Quarry in Hartlepool. It forms part of a wider investigation into three separate sites, including a third location near Newcastle Airport at Callerton in Newcastle. Together, the dumps amount to thousands of tonnes of waste.
Investigation into three illegal dumping sites
All three sites were reported to the Environment Agency over the summer. Working with landowners, the sites were shut down and concrete blocks were put in place to stop access. Investigating officers have carried out searches at the sites, gathering evidence to help trace those responsible for each of them.
Mark Rumble, Environmental Crime Team Leader at the Environment Agency, said: “This arrest is an important step as our investigation into illegal dumping in the North East continues. Illegal waste sites are a blight on our communities and residents should not have to live next to eyesores and put up with the smells. We have stepped up enforcement action with our 10 point plan and I want to make it clear that we'll do everything possible to trace those suspected of being involved.”
Government crackdown on waste crime
As part of the government's commitment to acting early to address illegal activity before it becomes established, the Environment Agency is stepping up its action on waste crime in its 10 point plan. In August, the government set out plans to shut down those behind waste crime, building on its Waste Crime Action Plan, including more Environment Agency officers on the front line, a steep increase in fines and tougher sanctions for the most serious offences.
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle said: "We said the years of organised criminal gangs getting away with dumping waste were over, and today's arrest shows we are delivering on that promise. This arrest is a vital step in delivering justice for communities across the North East who have wrongly had to put up with these horrendous sites. Through our crackdown, we are stopping the cycle of waste crime and putting more officers on the frontline to restore pride in our communities. We will bring waste criminals to justice.”
Illegally dumped waste poses a risk to communities and the environment and undermines legitimate businesses that dispose of waste responsibly, as well as being costly for landowners. It is estimated waste crime costs the UK over £1 billion every year.
