New powers to tackle rogue waste site operators

Former tip site operator Sam Hunter pictured greeting an Examiner reporter as he arrived at Huddersfield County Court in September 2016

As the fight against waste crime ramps up, the Environment Agency has also announced its waste enforcement officers will be equipped with body worn video cameras on their visits to waste sites.

The move follows a growing number of abusive incidents during site inspections.

Paul Whitehill, Environment Agency waste officer, said: “As a former police officer, I’ve seen routine visits rapidly escalate into threatening, or sometimes even violent, situations. Sadly the same risks apply to the Environment Agency’s officers.

“We want to get on with our jobs without the threat of violence and the cameras will help to protect staff and bring obstructive individuals to justice.”

In 2016/17, the Environment Agency brought 138 prosecutions against businesses or individuals for waste crime offences, yielding more than £2m in fines.

An extra £30m of funding was announced last November to tackle waste crime – an issue that drives business away from legitimate operators, blights communities and endangers the environment.

Environment Minister, Thérèse Coffey, said: “These new powers will give the Environment Agency the tools they need to curb the rise of waste sites that continue to break the law and blight our communities.

“Through our 25-year environment plan we want to be the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than we inherited it.

“As part of that commitment I am determined to crack down on these criminals and these new powers will be crucial in ending this criminal activity once and for all, backed up by £30 million of new money.”