The Liverpool City Region Waste Crime Conference, hosted by Halton Borough Council, brought together agencies involved in tackling environmental crime across Merseyside.
Organised by the Environment Agency and the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, the event aimed to strengthen the collective action against illegal waste activity.
The conference brought together authorities from across Merseyside, including the Environment Agency, Merseyside Police, the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, the six local councils making up the Liverpool City Region, Defra, the UK Health Security Agency, and Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service.
The organisations agreed to work more closely, sharing intelligence and coordinating activity to prevent and disrupt illegal waste operations and protect communities and the environment.
Commenting on the event, James Cruddas, Deputy Director Waste and Recycling, Circular Economy Directorate at Defra, said: “Tackling waste crime requires a multi-agency effort.”
Tackling waste crime requires a multi-agency effort.
“Our focus is on combining a clear national strategy with effective local delivery, ensuring that partners have the tools, intelligence and powers needed to combat criminality in the waste sector.”
As part of plans to tackle waste crime, the government is investing £45 million over the next three years to strengthen enforcement activity.
Alongside new funding, a new Waste Crime Crackdown Group, chaired by Environment Secretary Angela Eagle, will bring regulators and law enforcement together with the aim of dismantling criminal operations.
Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell commented: “Waste crime has a real impact on local communities, affecting the places people live, work and take pride in. That’s why I was delighted to support this first Liverpool City Region Waste Crime Conference.”
“One of Merseyside’s greatest strengths is our ability to work together, and bringing partners together to share expertise, intelligence and best practice is essential if we are to disrupt criminal activity, protect our communities and hold those responsible to account.”
