Herefordshire man arrested for illegal dumping

A man from Herefordshire has been arrested on suspicion of organising the illegal dumping of waste in Liverpool and several other parts of the country.

Environment Agency and Police carried out five dawn raids today following an in-depth investigation into illegal dumping of waste. Two people were arrested pending further enquiries. A third person will also be helping Environment Agency offers with their enquiries. 

Enforcement action took place at five separate addresses in Staffordshire, Ledbury in Herefordshire and Hertfordshire this morning following an investigation into illegal dumping of 20,000 – 25,000 tonnes of waste at 17 sites across the Midlands, North West and North East.

More than 25 Environment Agency investigators, supported by over 20 Police officers from Staffordshire, Hertfordshire and West Mercia and Warwickshire Police forces were in action at suspects’ homes and business addresses seeking evidence as part of Operation Cesium.

The investigation will now continue with the evidence seized today. This investigation is expected to continue for many more months.

Paul Clarke, lead investigator part of the Environment Agency’s National Investigation Team said: The Environment Agency takes waste crime seriously; and we will persistently pursue those suspected of illegally dumping waste.

“In this case, we have 17 landowners and communities blighted by significant amounts of dumped waste. We’ve already seen some of these sites catch fire, causing significant impact on communities, the environment and our emergency services partners who have to tackle them.

“Illegal waste activity of the likes we’re investigating here diverts £1billion from legitimate businesses and the treasury, and at the Environment Agency we do everything we can to bring those responsible to account.

This investigation has been ongoing since last summer and our enquiries will continue to examine the evidence to determine the full extent of the suspected offences.