This includes funding the clean-up of three major illegal waste sites, subject to feasibility assessments.
Other measures have been announced, including “better use” of drones, a bigger role for the police and the National Crime Agency, the hiring of more Environment Agency (EA) frontline officers, and increased fines.
The plan is targeted at shutting down the criminal gangs running illegal waste sites.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “These toxic dumps have blighted communities for too long. I said we would clean them up – and that’s exactly what we’re announcing today.
“The days of making easy money out of waste are over. We’re giving authorities the powers to hunt down the people responsible. We will seize their assets and shut their operations down.
“These mountains of rubbish have been a clear sign to communities that politics hasn’t been working for them or their area. This government is going to tackle the issues that have been ignored by Westminster for too long and bring back hope.”
The three sites that will be cleared on the government’s dime are:
- Power Station Road, Isle of Sheppey, Kent
- Aymer Close, Runnymede, Surrey
- Midland Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire
These sites are thought to contain a combined 22,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste.
The new support builds on the measures announced as part of the Waste Crime Action Plan.
John Scanlon, Executive Vice President UK, of Suez UK and current Chair of the Environmental Services Association (ESA), said: “The Government’s proposal to bring national and regional agencies together to tackle the serious problem of waste crime is very much welcomed by those of us who operate responsibly within the sector.
“In the UK, it is estimated that one in five tonnes of waste is handled illegally, harming our natural environment, undermining legitimate businesses, blighting local communities and often leaving taxpayers or landowners footing the clean up bill.
“We have previously highlighted the need for additional and appropriate resource to tackle the issue, particularly the more serious cases where the involvement of organised crime is suspected.
“Today’s announcement is an encouraging sign of a more joined-up and robust approach to waste crime, with a shift in emphasis towards identifying and dismantling the criminal networks involved.”
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