Arrests Made in Relation to Massive Unauthorized Rubbish Dump
Two individuals have been detained as an element of an probe into the tipping of thousands of metric tons of waste in a rural field in the county of Oxfordshire.
Law enforcement indicated that a 69-year-old was detained at a property in Andover, Hampshire, while a 54-year-old was taken into custody in Slough in association with the huge mound of waste deposited near Kidlington.
These arrests occur a week after a prior investigation which uncovered the operation of in excess of 500 unauthorized dumps across England, encompassing at a minimum of 11 so-called "major sites" bigger than 20,000 metric tons.
A representative for the environmental agency stated that the arrests were for environmental and proceeds of crime offences and were a "vital step" in continuing investigations. The apprehended men have been released on bail.
Scale of the Situation
The illegal site in the Kidlington area, located between the River Cherwell and the A34 highway, is believed to house about 21,000 metric tons of waste in a mound which is up to 150m (490ft) lengthwise and 6m (20ft) tall.
This pile of garbage is composed of what looks to be sorted residential waste, chopped up plastics, expanded polystyrene, tires and other everyday objects.
It is just one of 517 unlawful sites across England, at least 11 of which hold over 20,000 metric tons of garbage. These include a 280,000-tonne site in the county of Cheshire, two 50,000-tonne areas in Lancashire and Cornwall and a 36,000-tonne dump in Kent.
The total number of such bigger locations is expected to be higher, as the environmental body has previously indicated it does not possess information on tonnage for each unauthorized site.
Most sites are in rural settings, often out of sight, and on land that should be farm ground.
Criminal Activity
Authorities state a significant number are managed by organised crime gangs, who are generating money by charging significantly less than legitimate companies to accept and dispose of garbage.
Businesses have to pay site fees to use lawful waste facilities, based on the volume and category of waste they are trying to dispose of, and landfill tax is also charged at just over £126 per metric ton.
Community Frustration
Preparatory efforts to clean up the affected location commenced in recent weeks amid fears over the potential of fire and the effect that would have on the adjacent major road.
A contracted waste clearance company has been given the job to handle the location over the following 12 months at a expense of £9.6m.
An enforcement official for the government environmental crime team stated that the body would be seeking to claim back the clean-up expenses under confiscation laws from anyone ultimately prosecuted at the termination of its current inquiry.
She noted that this week's arrests would help "move the probe forward" and enable officials to "investigate more leads to determine exactly what happened and who was a party to it".
"This unauthorized site at the site was an atrocious and calculated assault on our natural surroundings and the authorities understand the local outrage at this terrible act," she said.
A cabinet representative welcomed the arrests, adding: "This unauthorized deposit of waste at the site is disgraceful and has resulted in significant damage to the ecology and upset to the surrounding community.
"Our government is dedicated to stamping out this category of illegal activity throughout the UK, by boosting financing to combat waste crime, employing more staff and enacting tougher checks and penalties for those who flout the rules."
The apprehensions were carried out on a recent Thursday by officers from a regional organised crime team and are in addition to an previous apprehension of a 39-year-old from the Guildford area in November. He was set free subject to more enquiries.
