The Environment Agency contacted Cheshire Police last week (7 August 2026) for assistance with an arrest as part of an ongoing investigation into a large-scale illegal waste site on agricultural land off Coal Pit Lane.
Both organisations attended the site as part of enforcement activity, with a 69-year-old local man arrested on suspicion of waste offences. He has since been released on bail while investigations continue.
A second local man, aged 37, was arrested at the same site during a planned follow-up operation on Monday (10 August), also on suspicion of waste offences. He has also been released on bail.
The site contains a significant amount of green garden waste, construction waste, plastics, tyres, shredded waste and mixed household waste.
The material has been deposited on agricultural land next to the River Wheelock and the site has been subject to an ongoing complex investigation into suspected illegal activity.
Sergeant Robert Simpson, of Cheshire Police’s Rural Crime Team, commented: “Some people may believe that waste crime does not harm anyone, however this is far from the truth.
“Not only does it cause a blight on our landscape, but it can also cause long lasting environmental damage.
“As part of the investigation into a site in Middlewich, we have arrested two men, and we will be working closely with our partners to ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”
He urged anyone with information about the site to come forward and advised residents and businesses to use legitimate waste removal companies.
Simpson added: “Some people can claim to have a licence to get rid of waste but have no intention of doing things correctly, often charging bargain prices to get rid of your rubbish, only for it to end up dumped somewhere it should not be.
“If the waste is tracked down to you, what started off as a good deal could end up as a hefty fine, even if you weren’t the one who dumped the waste.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
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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