Ministers, police, Mayors and local authorities to target organised waste crime as part of new Waste Crime Crackdown Group.
The Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle has announced plans to bring police, regulators and local leaders together to step up enforcement against waste crime.
The new Waste Crime Crackdown Group will work to identify the weaknesses in the waste system that are exploited by criminals and remove blockers for change.
Commenting on the announcement, Environment Secretary, Dame Angela Eagle said: “For too long communities have been left to live with the consequences of waste crime. I am changing that.”
“Our tougher enforcement is already showing results with arrests ramping up. But these are organised criminals and we must keep up the pressure to disrupt their operations.”
“The new Waste Crime Crackdown Group brings police and industry leaders together to share intelligence and close every loophole. Our message to criminals is clear: we’re closing in.”
A statement released by the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra), said enforcement action must ensure ‘the waste system works for the communities it is supposed to serve’.
At the first meeting, Defra says members will discuss ramping up enforcement against the gangs profiting from illegal dumping, improving how they share intelligence, and examining where enforcement powers can go further.
Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, commented: “Getting organised criminals out of our waste system needs everyone to work together: police, regulators and local government.”
“By sharing more intelligence, we can stop criminals getting their hands on waste in the first place.”
“With loopholes tightened, new powers and financial support from the government, we are working closely through this Group to make a real difference to communities affected by waste crime.”
