Taskforce set up to ‘blitz’ illegal waste sites

Illegal waste sites can pose a threat to the environment by contaminating land and rivers with oil and toxic chemicals. They can also pose a risk to human health and blight communities, threatening air quality with toxic fumes from illegally burnt materials and by causing noise and odour problems from operations near homes and schools.

The Environment Agency has identified approximately 600 active illegal waste sites in England and Wales and it estimates that over 300 of these sites are within 50 metres of schools, homes or sensitive environmental sites. Identifying the sites and closing them can often involve complex investigations and legal action.

The new taskforce, which includes former police detectives, will work closely with enforcement partners to gather intelligence and act quickly to close illegal waste sites. The taskforce will be supported by up to 5million of Environment Agency funding for the first two years.

The big push is part of the Environment Agencys continued action to combat serious, organised waste crime. Increasingly, those involved in waste crime are often involved in other criminal activities such as drugs and theft.

Working closely with partners including local authorities and the police, the Environment Agency stopped, or brought into regulation, 1195 illegal waste sites and took over 400 waste-related prosecutions during 2010/11. In the last six months the Environment Agency was granted court orders to recoup almost 1million from offenders through the Proceeds of Crime Act.

In August 2011, a Berkshire man was given a two year community service order a month after being ordered to pay almost 900,000 for running an illegal waste site which had a serious impact on local residents. People living near the site suffered serious disturbance at night from powerful floodlights and noise from barking dogs and car crushing operations.

In another example, the Environment Agency prosecuted a Leicestershire company for illegally burning waste and affecting local air quality. Nearby residents homes were affected by smoke. The defendant was fined over 10,000.

Damage

Waste and recycling minister Lord Taylor said: These illegal waste sites do untold damage to the environment and cause misery for local people that have to live with toxic fumes, noise at all hours and unbearable smells.

We are cracking down on those sites that blight our communities and will work with the police and other partners to bring the criminals behind them to justice.

The Welsh minster for environment and sustainable development, John Griffiths, said: “Environment Agency Wales has been at the forefront of tackling waste crime and I welcome the creation of this taskforce.

“Responsible waste management needs to be carried out without endangering human health and the environment. Many environmental offences have a negative impact on communities and legitimate businesses and we must ensure that illegal waste operators do not profit and the worst offenders are prosecuted.”

Offence

Environment Agency chief executive, Dr Paul Leinster, said: Waste crime is a serious offence that poses a risk to human health and can damage the environment. The Environment Agency is working with all enforcement agencies to stamp it out. If you’re involved in illegal waste activities, you should be looking over your shoulder and expecting a visit from our enforcement officers.

“The Environment Agency relies on members of the public and legitimate businesses to help us identify the culprits. They can call us or Crimestoppers with information.And we’ll press for the strongest possible penalties – including prison – for those convicted of these crimes against communities.”

The Environment Agency has produced a map showing prosecutions for waste crime between 6th January and 24th November 2011 where the resulting fine was 1000 or more, and it has also produced a film about its work on tackling waste crime.