The Environment Agency (EA) has announced a new package of surveillance and investigative measures aimed at preventing waste crime before it occurs. The initiative forms part of a wider crackdown on illegal dumping and organised waste crime, using advanced technology and strengthened enforcement teams to detect and disrupt offenders at an earlier stage.
A key element of the strategy is the expansion of a 33-strong drone squad dedicated to tackling waste crime. These drones will monitor illegal dumping sites from the air and gather evidence to support prosecutions. Some are being upgraded with laser mapping technology, enabling detailed mapping of waste sites to pinpoint exactly where materials have been dumped. This enhanced aerial capability is expected to improve evidence collection and strengthen cases brought before the courts.
The EA has also introduced a new digital screening tool that cross-checks lorry licence applications with waste permit records. By analysing data from the Office of the Traffic Commissioner and comparing it with the agency’s public register, the system can flag suspicious operators before they begin transporting waste. A recent trial demonstrated its effectiveness by identifying a company attempting to relocate its operations to avoid enforcement action.
In addition, the Joint Unit for Waste Crime has been expanded from 13 to 20 specialists, including former police officers. Working alongside police forces and the National Crime Agency, the unit focuses on dismantling organised criminal networks involved in illegal waste activity. These measures build on a record year of enforcement, during which hundreds of illegal sites were shut down and numerous prosecutions were secured, reflecting a strengthened commitment to holding waste criminals accountable.
