The finding comes in a new heatmap published by the Environment Agency (EA) today (28 May 2025).
The second and third highest concentrated spots of suspected waste crime were Yorkshire with 1,791 reports and East Anglia with 1,678 reports.
Emma Viner, enforcement an investigations manager at the EA, said: “Waste crime is toxic. Criminals steal business from legitimate operators, trash local communities, harm the environment, and avoid paying taxes which fund public services.
“As a nation, we must stand united against criminals, working together to stop them. We can all play our part by taking steps to keep waste away from criminals in the first place and reporting any suspected wrongdoing.”
The map shows that a total 16,773 reports of suspected waste crime were submitted across England from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024.
The EA has urged the public to report waste crime via its 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or to Crimestoppers through its website or by calling 0800 555 111, which is always 100% anonymous.
It also reminded the public help prevent waste crime by only using waste carriers listed on the public register.
Jacob Hayler, executive director of the Environmental Services Association (ESA), said: “Waste crime harms the environment, damages communities and threatens legitimate waste services.
“As citizens, we each have a duty of care, not only to stop our waste from falling into the wrong hands, but to report suspected illegal handling and dumping of waste when we see it – helping the regulatory authorities to catch and punish those responsible.”
Waste crime in England
The EA said it deals with enough illegally managed waste every year to fill Wembley Stadium 30 times – but added that the true scale is likely far more due to incidents that go unreported.
The EA’s National Waste Crime Survey shows just 25% of all waste crime incidents are thought to be reported.
It is estimated that waste crime costs the UK economy £1 billion every year.
The government recently announced its Plan for Change which will bring in new legislation for dealing with waste criminals, including powers to allow councils to seize and crush vehicles.
Circular economy minister Mary Creagh said: “Through our Plan for Change, this government will crack down on the waste cowboys, seize and crush fly-tippers’ vans, and clean up Britain.
“We will not stand idly by while organised crime groups profit from an avalanche of rubbish burying our communities and undercutting legitimate business.”
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