BBC Breakfast presenter Sally Nugent delivered what she described as 'horrendous' news on Wednesday, November 26, revealing a major arrest in what could be the UK's largest ever fly-tipping case.
The shocking incident, which occurred near the village of Kidlington in Oxfordshire during the summer, prompted the Environment Agency to declare a 'critical incident'.
Major Arrest in Environmental Investigation
During the popular morning show, Nugent announced that a 39-year-old man from the Guildford area was arrested on Tuesday, November 25.
The arrest was the result of a joint operation between the Environment Agency and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit.
It relates to a massive investigation into an 'appalling illegal waste dump' where a mountain of waste was left in an Oxfordshire field.
Officials Express Outrage and Vow Justice
Anna Burns, the Environment Agency's area director for the Thames, did not mince words in her condemnation of the act.
She stated that the dump has 'rightly provoked outrage over the potential consequences for the community and environment.'
Burns confirmed that teams have been 'working round the clock' to bring the perpetrators to justice and 'make them pay for this offence.'
She emphasised that the arrest is the 'first step in delivering justice for residents and punishing those responsible.'
A Coordinated Crackdown on Waste Crime
Phil Davies, head of the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, reinforced the severity of the situation.
He confirmed that the Environment Agency is collaborating closely with other law enforcement partners to identify and hold accountable those responsible for what he called the 'horrendous illegal dumping of waste'.
Davies concluded by confirming that 'a number of active lines of investigation are being pursued by specialist officers,' indicating that this first arrest may not be the last as the probe continues.
