Lorries carrying waste inspected for landfill breaches

Lorries outside landfills in County Durham and Lancashire were stopped and checked last month in a crackdown on waste crime.

The targeted operation, involving the environment agency and the joint unit for waste crime, as well as the police and HMRC, was aimed at ensuring drivers were carrying what they said they were and to check it was acceptable waste for landfill.

Inspections at the landfills were also carried out to check they were operating within their environmental permits.

Investigations are now being taken forward by relevant authorities.

Phil Davies, head of the joint unit for waste crime, said: “This was another successful operation as we continue to target waste crime across the country and ensure waste is being transported and treated lawfully.

“By working with partners we can take robust action against those who break the law and deter waste crime. Anyone involved in similar activities should be aware that we will use the capabilities of our partner agencies to stop them.

“Waste crime causes widespread and significant harm to people, places, the environment and the economy, and waste criminals are often involved in other types of offending such as drugs, firearms or modern slavery.”

Waste crime costs the economy in England an estimated £1 billion per year, with enough waste illegally managed every year to fill four million skips.