A 20 tonne tipper lorry linked to illegal waste activity across the West Midlands, seized by the Environment Agency, was crushed last week.
The vehicle was detained by officers last year after months of surveillance and intelligence gathering as part of a joint operation between the Environment Agency and local police.
Illegal commercial waste dumped at Madeley Heath (Picture: Environment Agency)
Named ‘Operation Poppy’, it investigated 28 incidents of “large scale illegal dumping” of commercial waste in North Staffordshire, Shropshire, South Staffordshire and North Worcestershire.
DVLA
The DVLA also issued a prohibition notice and immediately removed the vehicle off the road after the vehicle was found to be using trade plates illegally and deemed unsafe to drive.
The driver and passenger were questioned by the police and remain a line of enquiry, the Environment Agency said.
According to the Environment Agency, the vehicle was used to transport and dump large quantities of shredded household commercial waste, varying between 30 and 500 tonnes, on farmland, private wooded estates, secluded public footpath areas and business compounds. Secured areas were broken into and locks replaced by the offenders.
The Environment Agency said its officers working on the case have since reported a reduction in illegal waste activity in the area since the lorry was seized.
New powers
Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, said: “We are determined to make life hard for waste criminals by preventing and disrupting illegal activity.
“Thanks to the recent £30 million funding from the government and new powers to tackle problematic sites including authority to lock up sites and force rogue operators out of business, we are in a better position to safeguard the environment, local communities and the economy from the effects of waste crime.”
“Thanks to the recent £30 million funding from the government and new powers to tackle problematic sites including authority to lock up sites and force rogue operators out of business, we are in a better position to safeguard the environment, local communities and the economy from the effects of waste crime.”
Emma Howard Boyd
Environment Agency
In the financial year 16/17, the Environment Agency brought 138 prosecutions against businesses or individuals for waste crime offences, yielding more than £2m in fines.
As the fight against waste crime ramps up, the Environment Agency has recently introduced body worn cameras for waste enforcement officers. The move follows reports by the Agency of a growing number of abusive incidents during site inspections.
Environment Agency, West Midlands area director, Mike Grimes said: “The seizure of these vehicles give a clear message that the Environment Agency takes waste crime seriously and will persistently pursue those suspected of illegally dumping waste.
“With our new waste powers, we can take tougher action to reduce illegal waste activity, which will make a real difference to the local communities.”
Rubbish
Gill Heath, Staffordshire county council’s cabinet member for communities, added: “It took us 3 days to remove approximately 175 tonnes of rubbish from the car park and footpath at Madeley Heath, so I’m delighted that a vehicle involved in that crime is being taken off the road permanently.
“Dumping commercial waste has the potential to harm people and the environment, causes a great deal of trouble for the victims and it’s extremely frustrating that public bodies have to spend taxpayers’ money cleaning up a crime.”
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