Hartlepool - Watchlist site 184

An unauthorised deposit of approximately 1,000 tonnes of mixed shredded waste was made in August 2026 at watchlist site 184 in Hartlepool. The site has now been secured, and waste deposits have ceased.

The shredded waste on site could result in a number of problems, including dust, vermin and potential fire risk.

The Environment Agency’s Environmental Crime team for the North East has secured the site and waste deposits have now ceased. We launched a criminal investigation into the potential offenders and this investigation remains ongoing.

We will continue to monitor the site, assess environmental and amenity-related risks, work with partner organisations and take appropriate regulatory action, where necessary, to minimise impacts and support the remediation of the site.

We have seen increased media coverage in relation to ongoing investigations into multiple sites of illegal waste dumping across the region and have responded as appropriate.