Two men have been arrested as part of a major investigation into a large-scale illegal waste tipping operation in Oxfordshire. The Environment Agency confirmed that a 69-year-old man was detained at a property in Andover, while a 54-year-old man was apprehended in Slough.
Environmental and Financial Crimes Suspected
Both individuals were arrested on suspicion of environmental offences and money laundering in connection with a massive mound of rubbish dumped near Kidlington. They have since been released on conditional bail pending further inquiries by authorities.
These latest arrests follow the earlier detention of a 39-year-old man from the Guildford area in November, who was also part of the same ongoing investigation into illegal waste activities.
Scale of the Illegal Dumping Operation
The illegal tip, located between the River Cherwell and the A34, measures approximately 150 metres in length and is estimated to contain around 20,000 tonnes of waste material. The substantial size of the dump has raised serious concerns about potential pollution spreading to the nearby river system.
Environment Agency's Strong Response
Emma Viner, enforcement and investigations manager in the Environment Agency's national environmental crime unit, stated: "The illegal dump at Kidlington was an atrocious and deliberate attack on our environment, and the EA shares the community's anger at this horrific crime."
"Our teams have been working tirelessly with the South East regional organised crime unit on this investigation. These joint efforts have resulted in further arrests, which are another vital step in collecting new evidence and progressing our investigation."
Government Commitment to Tackling Waste Crime
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds commented: "The illegal dumping of waste at Kidlington is appalling and has caused significant damage to the environment and distress to the local community."
"I welcome these arrests - an important step in securing justice for local residents. The government is committed to stamping out this type of criminality across the country, by boosting funds to tackle waste crime, hiring more officers and introducing tougher checks and penalties for those who break the law."
Cleaning Up the Massive Site
In December, the Environment Agency announced that planning work to clear the illegal site had commenced, with waste removal services scheduled to begin towards the end of February 2026.
Waste Crime: A Growing National Problem
Waste crime has become an increasingly significant issue across the United Kingdom, with high-profile illegal dump sites generating widespread public outrage in recent months. According to BBC reports, more than 700 illegal dumps were shut down during the 2024-2025 period, with many concealed in rural locations on what should be agricultural land.
The Kidlington dump represents just one of hundreds of sites reportedly still identified in Environment Agency data. Freedom of information figures obtained by the BBC reveal that 517 waste tips were operating at the end of last year, including 11 designated as "super sites" due to their substantial scale and environmental impact.
The ongoing investigation demonstrates the coordinated efforts between environmental authorities and organised crime units to address what has become a persistent and damaging form of criminal activity affecting communities and ecosystems nationwide.
