Man arrested in connection with fly-tipping incidents across multiple counties

The joint investigation was launched in September following several incidents where large quantities of macerated waste were dumped in rural locations across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex.

Police have been working with the Environment Agency, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the National Farmers’ Union to identify and trace those involved.

During the early hours of last Wednesday (1 October), officers from the East Herts Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) tracked a tipper suspected to be involved in illegal dumping.

The vehicle, which was loaded with macerated waste, was stopped and the driver was arrested under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

False number plates were found hidden inside the vehicle and a knuckle duster was later found inside a bag.

The tipper was seized, along with a second vehicle suspected to have been used in crime.

The Environment Agency will now continue with the investigation, with support from the police forces involved.

Neighbourhood Sergeant for the East Herts Rural area, David Miller, said: “The costs associated with fly-tipping are huge, from clean-up costs to unpaid landfill tax, and these incidents have a big impact on our hardworking farmers, as well as the wider community.

“We’ve worked alongside partner agencies, as well as policing colleagues from the constabulary’s Rural Operational Support Team and neighbouring forces, to identify those who may be involved. This work is continuing, and I hope it reassures people that we will never give up on our pursuit of criminals who cause misery for our local communities.”

Barry Russell MBE, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency said: “Waste crime undermines legitimate businesses and causes serious harm to our communities and environment. This successful operation with East Herts Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team and the NFU shows the importance of partnership work and our determination to disrupt these criminal networks and protect our rural areas from illegal dumping.

“We urge the public to be vigilant – please report any suspicious activity to our incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60. If you are hiring someone to take your waste away, they must be registered with the Environment Agency. You can check they are registered by searching ‘Waste Carriers’ on Gov.UK.”

Ashley Greenall, whose farm in High Wych was subject to one of the fly-tips, said: “Illegal dumping of waste on my farmland has caused significant disruption and distress, placing an added financial burden of more than £5,000 on an already struggling family farming business. This unexpected cost covers the removal and safe disposal of hazardous materials, as well as repairing damage to land. The incident has not only taken up considerable time and physical effort to resolve, time that should be spent maintaining crops, but has also created serious stress and anxiety, compounded by the fear it may happen again, highlighting the urgent need for stronger enforcement and community vigilance to protect our rural areas.”

Robert L. Law, the Hertfordshire NFU County Chairman, said: “Illegal dumping of hazardous waste continues to be an issue throughout the county of Hertfordshire. I had an incident recently which blocked our main access into the farm and caused me to have to get in specialist contractors to remove it. Although insurance covered some of the costs, high insurance excesses for this crime meant that there was still a balance to be funded. Then there was the stress and time involved in getting the debris cleared up. Herts police and the Environment Agency are to be congratulated on their recent success, seizing two tipper lorries and making arrests. Continued vigilance is required by members to ensure we can stamp out this activity.”

If you witness fly-tipping in progress, dial 999 straight away.