Criminal gangs are illegally collecting around 53 million tonnes of waste every year in England, costing taxpayers an estimated £1 billion, according to government figures. The Waste Crime Management Plan says around one in five loads of rubbish is handled by illegal operators, while organised waste crime is estimated to deprive the Treasury of about £150 million in unpaid tax each year.
Government pledges £45m to tackle waste crime
Ministers have pledged £45 million to target the criminal networks profiting from illegal dumping. Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle warned: "I want to be clear to waste criminals: we are coming for you."
Operation Unite targets rogue operators
The pledge follows Operation Unite in Lancashire on July 23, when police, the Environment Agency (EA) and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) targeted suspected rogue waste operators. The operation uncovered illegal waste sites, seized stolen construction equipment and identified unlicensed refuse lorries believed to have been used as cover for wider criminal activity.
Officials say illegally operated waste vehicles also pose a safety risk on Britain's roads. A DVSA spokesperson said: "Illegally operated vehicles create a dangerous environment for everyone on Britain's roads. We're pleased to have worked in partnership on this multi-agency operation with the Environment Agency and Lancashire Police, taking firm action against drivers and operators who flout the law. DVSA works closely with other enforcement agencies to keep our roads safe and will not hesitate to take the strongest possible action against anyone who does not take their responsibilities seriously."
Illegal dumping damages protected marshland
Illegal dumping has also had a major environmental impact. At Cave's Inn Pit in Lancashire, repeated complaints from residents about a foul smell led investigators to discover around 30,000 tonnes of illegally managed waste dumped within a protected marshland site. The discovery was described as "heart-breaking" by Environment Agency Area Director Ian Jones.
EA says wider campaign is just beginning
EA Chief Executive Phillip Duffy said the recent enforcement action marked the start of a wider campaign against waste crime. He said: "Operation Unite sends a clear warning to waste criminals: the days of operating under the radar are over. This campaign has shown what is possible when we combine intelligence, coordination and determination - and it's just the beginning. With more targeted operations planned, the pressure on waste criminals will only intensify."
Family living near 'worst illegal waste dump'
The Daily Express reported on a family living near the UK's "worst illegal waste dump". Mother Nicha Rowson had to move her eight-year-old son Oliver out of their home to live with his grandmother. With autism and sensory processing issues, Oliver could not bear the smells.
In July last year, the dump was on fire due to combustion for nine days. Rowson's family did not have any water for the first five days. "At that point, we were all in our houses, we weren't allowed to open the doors or windows, it was in the middle of a heat wave, and we had no water. You couldn't even have a cold shower or a drink. We were crying out, 'we need baths, we need showers'," Rowson told the Express. She collapsed from the smoke coming into the home and was taken to hospital.
