Northumbria Police and Environment Agency arrest man in Sunderland in probe into huge illegal waste dumps
A man has been arrested in connection with thousands of tonnes of illegally dumped waste at sites in Hartlepool and Peterlee.
The 32-year-old man was arrested at an address in Sunderland on Thursday morning (October1) in a joint operation between Northumbria Police and the Environment Agency.
He was taken into custody for questioning in connection with the illegal dumping of waste at the former Dewhirst site, Thorpe Road, in Peterlee, and at Hart Quarry in Hartlepool.
The arrest forms part of a wider investigation into three separate sites – these ones in Peterlee and Hartlepool and a third near Newcastle Airport at Callerton in Newcastle.
Mark Rumble, Environmental Crime Team Leader at the Environment Agency, said: “This arrest is an important step as our investigation into illegal dumping in the North East continues.
“Illegal waste sites are a blight on our communities and residents should not have to live next to eyesores and put up with the smells.
“We have stepped up enforcement action with our 10 point plan and I want to make it clear that we'll do everything possible to trace those suspected of being involved.”
All three sites were reported to the Environment Agency over the summer.
The Environment Agency worked with landowners and the sites were quickly shut down and concrete blocks put in place to prevent access.
Investigating officers have carried out searches at the sites, gathering evidence to help trace those responsible for each of them.
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle said: “This arrest is a vital step in delivering justice for communities across the North East who have wrongly had to put up with these horrendous sites.
“Through our crackdown, we are stopping the cycle of waste crime and putting more officers on the frontline to restore pride in our communities.”
In August, the government set out plans to go after those responsible for waste crime, which costs the UK over £1 billion every year, including more Environment Agency officers on the front line, a steep increase in fines and tougher sanctions for the most serious offences.
The Environment Agency is urging anyone with information about waste crime in the region, or suspicious activity, such as unusual HGV movements on disused or open land, to contact them on on 0800 807060.