Bolton House Road

Criminals can exploit accessible land to fly tip and dump waste; it is important that landowners take steps to secure their property.

We believe only 27% of waste crime is reported. It is critical that waste crime is reported as soon as possible, allowing faster action to prevent further harm.

We received a report of scrap vehicles at the site in 2024. Reports of waste being deposited at the site were first reported by the public on 13 January 2025.

We first visited the site on 6 January 2025, accompanied by Greater Manchester Police, following receipt of intelligence. A criminal investigation was commenced immediately.

There was a fire at the site on 1 July 2025. The circumstances of the fire remain under criminal investigation.

It is estimated to be 23,000 cubic metres in size.

A major incident was declared following a large fire at the site between 1 and 10 July 2025. This fire is being investigated as part of the Environment Agency's ongoing criminal investigation. There may also have been other smaller fires in the local area, but these are the responsibility of the Local Authority.

No arrests have been made. A significant criminal investigation is ongoing. Small fires fall within Local Authority remit.

We received 51 reports in 2025 from members of the public in connection with alleged unauthorised activity at the site, of which 4 were in connection with a fire in early July. We are unable to disclose further detail at this stage due to an ongoing criminal investigation.

We have served cease and desist letters to all registered titles (land owners) informing them of their duty to prevent further activity on 20 January 2025.

The site was categorised as a Critical Incident following the fire in July 2025.

A national Gold group was convened with a Director of Operations, overseeing the response.

Following the fire, we served S59 Environment Act 1990 notices on registered titles and occupiers of land where waste had been deposited requiring that waste was removed.

The local authority, Wigan Council, obtained a closure order to secure the site – Please contact the Council for more information or visit their FAQ page Illegal waste site, Bolton House Road, Bickershaw, FAQs 

We commenced a significant criminal investigation in January 2025 and are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry and have interviewed people under caution. In partnership with the Local Authority, we are taking steps to prevent further activity at the site, through CCTV, regular site visits and 24 hour security at the site.

• A court order is in place prohibiting anyone from importing waste to a site known as “The Old Cricket Ground” in Bickershaw as part of our ongoing response to illegal waste dumping at Bolton Bouse Road.
• The Restriction Order was granted at Wigan Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 25 February and will last six months. 

A 58-year-old man from the Birmingham area who was arrested in connection with illegal dumping at sites across England, including Bolton House Road, has been released under investigation and is due to return to a police station at a later date. He was arrested on suspicion of environmental, fraud, and money laundering offences.

· Access to the Site is secured with concrete blocks and locked gates.

· The disposal of waste has stopped, and a criminal investigation is underway.

· The local authority, Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council, obtained a closure order to secure the site – contact the council for further information on this. 

Link to Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council FAQ page Bolton House Road Bickershaw FAQ's(External link)

· In partnership with the Local Authority, we are taking steps to prevent further activity at the site, there is currently 24-hour security at this site.

We work closely with Defra in looking at where the scope of government policy may help prevent waste crime.

Wigan Council, supported by the EA and other multi-agency partners, are working closely with Defra to remove the waste from this site. Good progress has been made and it is expected that waste will start to be removed in the autumn. We are doing everything within our powers and remit to help manage the site and continue to work in partnership with Wigan Council, Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and UKHSA.

We understand the impact this site is having on the community, and we are doing all we can within our remit to help manage the site in partnership with Wigan Council, Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and UKHSA. Environment Agency Officers have attended all the community drop-in sessions and meet regularly with elected members to provide updates and hear concerns.