Further arrest connected with North East illegal waste dumping
A man has been arrested as an Environment Agency investigation into illegal waste dumping in the North East continues.
The illegal waste site at Callerton. Copyright: Environment Agency
- Man arrested near Preston, Lancashire in connection with illegal waste activity in joint operation involving the Environment Agency and Lancashire Police.
- 29-year-old is questioned in connection with an illegal waste site at Callerton, near Newcastle Airport in the North East.
- The Environment Agency is stepping up action on waste crime as part of it’s 10 point plan
The 29-year-old man was arrested at an address near Preston, Lancashire yesterday morning (12 October) in a joint operation involving Lancashire Police and the Environment Agency.
He was questioned in connection with the illegal dumping of waste near Newcastle Airport at Callerton, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.
It follows an arrest made in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, last week in connection with illegal waste dumping at the former Dewhirst site, Thorpe Road, Peterlee, and at Hart Quarry in Hartlepool. The 32-year-old man was bailed pending further enquiries.
Together the three dumps amount to thousands of tonnes of waste. The Callerton site has since been cleared by the landowner.
Environment Agency’s action 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.
It sets out a focused, sustained programme of action to strengthen prevention, improve detection and deliver more consistent enforcement.
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.
The illegal waste site at Peterlee. Copyright: Environment Agency
Gary Wallace, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
We’ve been relentless in our investigation into these sites and two men have now been arrested.
We’ll continue to put every effort into taking action against those suspected of being involved.
Illegal waste sites are a blight on our communities and the environment, and we’re determined to bring those behind them to justice.
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle said:
These arrests are an important step in achieving justice for those communities in the North East who have had to put up with the impacts of these appalling illegal waste sites.
Through our crackdown we are putting more officers on the frontline and driving faster enforcement and disruption of criminal activities.
This government is taking a zero-tolerance approach to waste crime and this action shows we are delivering on our promise to bring these criminals to justice.
All three sites were reported to the Environment Agency over the summer. The Agency was quick to respond and, working with landowners, the sites were shut down and concrete blocks 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.
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.
The Environment Agency is urging anyone with information about waste crime in the region, or anyone who sees suspicious activity, such as unusual HGV movements onto disused or open land, to get in touch.
Things people can do to help:
- Check the public register of waste carriers before paying anyone to take waste away. If they are not on the register, they are operating illegally. Ask for and keep a written record of where the waste is taken.
- Landowners should ensure they check any empty land and property regularly to make sure it’s secure, using secure barriers or concrete blocks to prevent vehicle access. They should also consider installing CCTV where appropriate. They can be liable for illegal waste dumped on their land.
- Report suspected waste crime. Every report helps build the picture that enables earlier action. Report illegal dumping, suspicious waste movements or burning, unlicensed operators, or unusually cheap disposal offers to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or the Environment Agency incident line on 0800 807060.