The Environment Agency (EA) led the crackdown following resident reports of odour and dust issues as a result of piles of waste in an industrial estate.
Some local residents said that they were no longer allowing their children to play outside as a result of the ongoing problems.
Waste Minister Mary Creagh said: “The people of Kirkby have had to endure this nightmare for far too long, so I’m pleased to see this crackdown by the Environment Agency.
“Our message to waste criminals is simple: break the rules and you will face the consequences.”
Following the crackdown, the EA served a Revocation Notice on Windmill Services and ordered it to cease all activities previously allowed by the permit.
The waste site is located on Williams Brothers Industrial Estates in Simonswood, bordering Kirkby in West Lancashire.
It hadn’t been operational since previous EA action in November 2025, with investigations into permit breaches ongoing.
John Neville, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency in Cumbria and Lancashire, said: “We are taking faster, more targeted action against those in the waste sector who we suspect are breaking the rules.
“Where we find evidence of illegal activity, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action – including revoking permits to remove operators from the waste sector and shutting down illegal operations.
“Waste crime causes real harm, blighting communities, causing pollution and undercutting legitimate businesses. Together with other agencies we are determined to stop it.”
Day of action against waste crime
The EA was supported in the crackdown by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), West Lancashire Borough Council and Knowsley Council.
Five other permitted waste sites were also inspected and the DVSA conducted vehicles checks with drone support from the Joint Unit for Waste Crime (JUWC).
The EA said that there will be “some follow up action” at some of these sites.
Th Agency added that it has ensured that the operator of one of the sites is now compliant with its permit, and another has started moving waste from its site.
Two additional sites were found operating without a permit, one accepting household skip waste and another taking in inert material. The Environment Agency has required all activity to stop, and the waste be removed.
The operator of a third site received guidance to clear a small amount of tipped waste. Pollution prevention advice was given to the operators of two other sites.
Waste Crime Action Plan
The day of action comes off the back of the release of the Waste Crime Action Plan, which will see an extra £45 million given to the EA to support its enforcement activities.
Minister Creagh said: “Our new Waste Crime Action Plan sets out this government’s zero-tolerance approach after years of dither and delay.
“We’re calling time on the waste criminals, who will now have to clean up and pay up and face penalty points on their licence for fly tipping.
“We’re giving enforcement officers new police-style powers and doubling the Environment Agency’s waste crime budget.”
