The National Audit Office estimates waste crime is costing the English economy £900m a year. Local authorities report there were 1.15 million incidents of fly-tipping in 2023-2024, an increase of 6% on the previous year.
On 4 June, Kent’s PCC Matthew Scott invited Matthew Barber (Thames Valley) along with colleagues from Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex to meet with representatives from the police, the Environment Agency, local government, land owning and farming groups, and representatives from the private sector.
‘An important step’
It was agreed to commission a “strategic review” of the situation and an action plan which will focus on creating a joined-up approach across the region.
Barber said: “I was pleased to be able to join PCC counterparts in the South East yesterday, as part of a Waste Crime roundtable organised by Kent OPCC.
“Organised waste crime, such as fly tipping can be big business for criminals, both in the Thames Valley and across the South East.
“Yesterday’s meeting with fellow PCCs from across the South East along with councils, landowners and the Environment Agency is an important step to ensuring a joined up approach across the region.”
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