The EA (Environment Agency) will be stepping up its surveillance, using drones carrying laser mapping technology to create detailed maps of illegal waste sites, capturing the evidence needed to help secure successful prosecutions.
A new screening tool will also enable EA officers to scan and cross-check HGV operator licence applications against waste permit records. The process has already been trialled in East Anglia, where the EA says it helped uncover a waste company that had secretly relocated its HGV operations to evade enforcement.
The software flagged the new operating centre within a week, allow EA officers to intervene before a licence was approved.
“Farmers are ready to play their part, but we need a system that works with us, not one that leaves us picking up the bill.”
NFU spokesperson
The Joint Unit for Waste Crime will also see a boost in numbers – the unit brings together police forces and the National Crime Agency, together with EA enforcement officers to help disrupt waste crime.
Stop the issue at source
Responding to the package of measures, an NFU spokesperson said: “Any investment that helps crack down on waste crime is welcome, and today’s announcement shows real intent. But farmers continue to bear the cost and consequences of fly tipping, and technology alone won’t solve that.
"While it's reassuring to hear that a record number of illegal sites have been shut down, we need proper coordination between all enforcement bodies, penalties that genuinely deter offenders and a simple, single reporting system so victims aren’t forced to navigate multiple agencies. Raising public awareness of household waste responsibilities is also essential so that we can collectively stop the issue at source.
"Farmers are ready to play their part, but we need a system that works with us, not one that leaves us picking up the bill.”
If you know or suspect illegal waste activity is taking place, report it anonymously to Crimestoppers: Give information | Crimestoppers or call 0800 555 111. The 24-hour incident hotline is also available on 0800 80 70 60.
