A multi-agency enforcement operation led by the Environment Agency has identified two previously unknown illegal waste sites and recovered stolen machinery and vehicles during a coordinated crackdown on organised waste crime in Lancashire.
More than 35 officers from the Environment Agency, Lancashire Police, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), Burnley Council and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) took part in the operation across Bacup and Burnley on 23 July. The EA said the activity is part of its continuing efforts to tackle organised waste crime, following its recent nationwide Operation Unite enforcement campaign.
The operation combined roadside enforcement with visits to suspected illegal waste sites. Officers stopped 28 waste vehicles for compliance checks, inspected five suspected illegal waste sites and identified two previously unknown sites that are now under investigation.
As well as gathering intelligence to support ongoing investigations into waste offences, officers recovered a stolen telehandler valued at approximately £25,000, together with two stolen vehicles, a stolen skip, a dumper truck and a trailer.
John Neville, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
“Waste crime is far from a victimless offence. It harms communities, damages the environment, undermines legitimate businesses and is often linked to wider organised criminality.
“This operation demonstrates the strength of partnership working and our shared determination to tackle those who seek to profit from environmental crime.
“By bringing together specialist officers from a number of organisations, we have been able to disrupt illegal activity, recover stolen property, identify new illegal waste sites and gather valuable intelligence to support ongoing investigations.
“We will continue working closely with our partners to protect communities, support legitimate businesses and ensure those responsible for waste crime are held to account.”
Waste crime includes offences such as operating illegal waste sites, transporting waste without the appropriate authorisations, unlawful waste burning and illegal dumping. According to the Environment Agency, such offences can cause significant environmental damage, affect local communities and legitimate businesses, and are frequently associated with wider organised criminal activity.
The agency said it will continue working with police forces, local authorities and other partner organisations to carry out intelligence-led enforcement operations targeting waste crime.
