An estimated 5,000 cubic metres of waste, which appears to include the contents of household skips, was discovered alongside evidence that heavy goods equipment had been used to create a soil embankment around the site.
The embankment is understood to have been used to shield the waste-tipping activity from public view.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “This is a sickening case of large-scale illegal waste dumping, and we share the public’s disgust.
“We have started a criminal investigation and we will do everything in our power to find those responsible and bring them to justice.
“We will be working closely with Hinckley and Bosworth Council and other professional partners throughout our investigation.”
‘A serious and deliberate act of waste crime’
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council has worked with Leicestershire Police’s Rural Crime team and the Environment Agency to secure the site and gather evidence.
Two vehicles found at the site have also been removed under local authority powers for vehicles suspected of being used in waste crime.
The incident has been reported to the Environment Agency, which is now leading the investigation, with the council continuing to provide support and evidence to help identify those responsible.
The Environment Agency said the site has been secured and is no longer believed to be actively receiving waste.
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council leader Stuart Bray added: “This is a serious and deliberate act of waste crime. Those responsible have not only dumped a large amount of waste; they have taken steps to hide what they were doing.
“That makes it even more important that anyone who saw something unusual comes forward.
“We know residents will rightly be angry to see the countryside treated in this way. Our officers are working closely with the police and Environment Agency, and action has already been taken, including removing two vehicles from the site.
“Our priority now is to support the Environment Agency’s investigation, secure the evidence and make sure those responsible are held to account, including for the clean-up.
“If you saw anything that did not look right in this area, please report it.”
The Environment Agency and its partners are appealing for information from anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area around the time of the incident.
Officers are particularly interested in vehicle movements and any CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage that could help identify those involved.
The National Waste Crime Conference takes place on 3 November 2026 in London. The one-day event will bring together professionals from across enforcement, regulation, local government and the waste industry to examine the challenges posed by waste crime and the sector’s response to the new regulatory landscape. Find out more and secure your ticket here.
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