The Environment Agency has set up a taskforce in order to crack down on illegal waste sites over the next two years in England and Wales. Such sites can threaten the environment, contaminate land and rivers and pose a risk to human health. The taskforce will include police detectives and will be funded by a £5 million investment from the Agency.
The Agency have so far identified around 600 active illegal waste sites in England and Wales, and it estimates that half of them will be within only 50 metres of schools, homes or sensitive environmental sites. Those running such sites could face extensive fines if caught. For example, the owner of an illegal waste site in Slough was given a two year community sentence and ordered to pay nearly £900,000 in August 2011 for running the site.
However, because of their serious impact on the environment, as well as being against the law, such sites have to be dealt with. Lord Taylor, the Environment Minister for England, said, "These sites do untold damage to the environment and cause misery for local people that have to live with toxic fumes, noise at all hours and unbearable smells."
The head of the Agency, Dr Paul Leinster, has stated that these crimes will not go unpunished. He said, "Waste crime is a serious offence. The Environment Agency is working with all enforcement agencies to stamp it out. If you're involved in illegal waste activities, you should be looking over your shoulder and expecting a visit from our enforcement officers. We'll press for the strongest possible penalties - including prison - for those convicted of these crimes against communities."
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