The Environment Secretary, Dame Angela Eagle has announced the creation of the new Waste Crime Crackdown Group, which aims to “step up” enforcement against waste crime.
The group brings together police, regulators and local leaders and is expected to identify weaknesses in the waste system that criminals exploit.
At the first meeting, members will discuss ramping up enforcement against the gangs profiting from illegal dumping and improving how they share intelligence.
The Secretary of State will ask the Group to examine where enforcement powers can go further to leave no stone unturned in shutting down criminal organisations.
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.”
The government say that enforcement is already “getting tougher” as since April 36 arrests have been made and the Environment Agency hunting criminals by using drones.
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