Our top waste crime stories
Read our top waste crime stories
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Farmer who allowed waste to be dumped at beauty spot sentenced
A North Yorkshire farmer who allowed thousands of tonnes of waste to be dumped on his land in a Yorkshire beauty spot has been handed a suspended prison sentence and ordered to clear the eyesore. Following an investigation by the Environment Agency, Hayden Fortune, 50, of Pyethornes Farm, Wigglesworth, Skipton, was sentenced at York Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 26 March after previously pleading guilty to operating an illegal waste site.
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Permit revoked and two waste sites shut down in waste crack down
The operator of a poor performing waste site that has caused misery for local residents has had its environmental permit revoked after a major day of action targeting waste crime at West Lancashire industrial estates. It comes following reports from residents in Simonswood that piles of illegal waste have been causing horrid smells and dust issues – with some parents choosing to stop their children playing outside. Monday’s (23 March) Environment Agency led multi-agency crack down at Simonswood and Williams Brothers Industrial Estates in Simonswood (bordering Kirkby) - saw two illegal waste sites shut down.
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Arrest made in multi-million pound waste packaging fraud case
An individual in Birmingham has been arrested as part of an investigation into waste plastic packaging fraud and money laundering, the Environment Agency has announced today (Thursday 26 March 2026). In a dawn operation taking place yesterday (Wednesday 25 March 2026), officers from the Environment Agency worked with West Midlands Police to arrest a 49 year old man for conspiracy to defraud and money laundering.
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Greater Manchester agencies unite to tackle waste crime
Friday’s event (20 March) - attended and supported by Deputy Mayor Kate Green - brought together representatives including the Environment Agency, Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and all 10 Greater Manchester local authorities. It built on the existing coordinated action against waste criminals who blight communities, damage the environment and undermine legitimate businesses.
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Illegal waste site in Ramsgate shut by Environment Agency
The Environment Agency has locked the site’s gate, placed concrete blocks to prevent access and a placed a warning notice at the entrance of Units 26 and 27 at Leigh Road, Haine Industrial Estate in Newington. This means anyone entering the land without reasonable excuse or written permission from the Environment Agency will be committing a criminal offence, as will anyone who tampers with the lock or notice.
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Vehicles seized in operation at Worcestershire waste site
A large construction vehicle and a HGV lorry were seized yesterday (Thursday 19 March) during a joint operation at Throckmorton Industrial Park, Worcestershire. Led by the Environment Agency, the work was part of an on-going initiative to tackle waste crime. The Environment Agency team was joined by officers from West Mercia Police’s Evesham Rural Safer Neighbourhood team and the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency.
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Government cracks down on waste crime to clean up streets and restore pride in communities
Waste criminals across England face their toughest ever crackdown, as the government and Environment Agency unveil a sweeping package of measures targeting illegal dumping. The new Waste Crime Action Plan sets out a zero-tolerance approach, with action to prevent waste crime at its source by closing loopholes and equipping regulators with the tools they need to stop waste criminals.
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Fly-tippers and vandals to be forced into “clean up squads” and slapped with cleaning bill
Fly-tippers and waste vandals could soon be forced to clean up our streets and parks and pay the costs of clearing their mess under new government plans for “clean up squads”. Under the proposals, local authorities would get the powers to issue fly-tippers with so-called conditional cautions instead of being taken to court. These could see offenders complete up to 20 hours of unpaid work, cleaning our streets, parks, and the exact stops they’ve dumped waste. And in a landmark move, councils will be handed new powers to seize money directly from fly-tippers to fund their clean-up operations.
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Police-style powers handed to environment officers as part of plans to bring down waste criminals
Under a new zero-tolerance approach, the government is looking to expand powers under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) as well as the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) and other legislation to the Environment Agency and its enforcement officers.
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Litter louts face losing their driving licences
Litter louts trashing our high streets, roads and community spaces could face losing their driving licences, as the government considers plans to step up the fight against waste crime.
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