The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has announced the creation of a new Waste Crime Team which will help tackle serious and organised crime within the waste industry.
Recent experiences dealing with waste crime in Scotland have shown that there has been an increase in the involvement of serious and organised crime gangs who use their influence to gain a foothold in a legitimate market and that new approaches are needed to effectively and efficiently tackle the challenges it creates.
The new Waste Crime Team within SEPA will lead investigations directed at tackling the most serious offenders, working in partnership with law enforcement agencies, such as Police Scotland, to identify and disrupt serious organised crime within the waste sector.
Calum MacDonald, SEPA Executive Director, said: "What we are tackling with this new team is deliberate and sustained law breaking by those who do not care what impact their actions are having on the local environment and communities. In addition, we are seeking to change the behaviour of waste producers, in an attempt to disrupt the flow of waste at the source. Law abiding members of the waste community must understand that they have a vital role to play in preventing this kind of crime, by ensuring they understand their obligation to only deal with other legitimate businesses."
The effects of environmental crime can vary in severity, and can include:
