The operation uncovered stolen equipment and vehicles, two previously unknown illegal waste sites, and served as an intelligence-gathering operation for future investigations.
More than 35 officers from the Environment Agency, Lancashire Police, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), Burnley Council and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) worked together to target what they described as “organised waste crime” across Bacup and Burnley.
Chief Inspector Philip Brown, Local Policing at Lancashire Constabulary, said: “Waste crime is not a victimless offence. It can have a significant impact on local communities, the environment and legitimate businesses.
“This joint day of action demonstrates our commitment to working closely with the Environment Agency and partner organisations to tackle those who seek to profit from illegal waste activity.
“By combining our resources and expertise, we can identify offenders, disrupt organised criminality and help keep our communities safe and clean.”
On 23 July 2026, more than 35 officers stopped 28 waste vehicles through roadside and roaming enforcement checks and visited five suspected illegal waste sites.
They also identified two previously unknown illegal waste sites, which are now under investigation.
The officers uncovered a stolen telehandler valued at approximately £25,000, along with two stolen vehicles, a stolen skip, a dumper truck and a trailer.
Information gathered on the day will be used to support ongoing waste offence investigations.
Stephen Williamson, Environment Taxes Compliance at HMRC, said: “We’re committed to working with partners to combat waste crime and we use a range of civil and criminal powers to collect the tax that’s due.
“Our officers conducted checks for unlawful waste disposal at a number of sites, gathering crucial information to help crack down on this scourge.
“We urge anyone with information about any type of tax fraud to report it to us on GOV.UK.”
The operation involved officers from:
- Lancashire Police’s Rossendale Rural Task Force
- Ribble Valley Rural Task Force
- Burnley Urban Task Force
- Rossendale Neighbourhood Policing Team
- The Road Policing Unit
- The Stolen Vehicle Unit
An Environment Agency drone was also deployed to support activity on the ground.
John Neville, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “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 action
The action day follows the Environment Agency’s 18-week waste crime campaign, known as “Operation Unite”.
The Agency said that the action resulted in 17 environmental permits being suspended or entering the revocation process.
It added that the nationwide enforcement campaign marked “a new phase” in its approach to tackling the sector, with 42 site investigations and more than 30 criminal investigations launched.
Waste crime includes operating illegal waste sites, transporting waste without the correct authorisations, burning waste unlawfully, and illegally dumping waste.
In March 2026, the government released its Waste Crime Action Plan, which included an additional £45 million in funding for the Environment Agency.
The plan sets out what ministers describe as a “zero-tolerance” approach to illegal dumping across England, aiming to tackle illegal activity at its source, close regulatory loopholes, and strengthen the ability of enforcement bodies to intervene earlier.
Waste crime is estimated to cost the English economy around £1 billion to £2 billion annually, with roughly 20% of waste thought to be handled illegally.
Anyone with information about suspected waste crime is encouraged to report it to the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Interested in learning more about Digital Waste Tracking and the government’s approach to waste crime? Join us at:
- The Digital Waste Tracking Conference in London on 20 October 2026. Find out more and buy tickets here.
- The Waste Crime Conference in London on 3 November 2026. Find out more and buy tickets here.
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