Report by Local Democracy Reporter – Jon Cooper
A North Derbyshire council has welcomed a Government-backed crackdown on illegal waste gang sites including ongoing plans with new heat maps and greater enforcement after around 100 tonnes of rubbish was illegally dumped at a derelict quarry.
The Government is determined to shut down criminal gangs operating illegal waste sites in England with a drive for a bigger role for Mayors and the police while the public are being urged to come forward and report waste crime.
Cllr Stephen Pickering, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services at North East Derbyshire District Council, stated the council supports the crackdown following recent action by the Environment Agency to shut down an illegal waste site at Bole Hill Quarry, in Wingerworth, near Chesterfield, where around 100 tonnes of household waste had been dumped or buried.
He said: “We welcome the Government’s plans to strengthen the fight against waste crime and illegal waste operations. Waste crime has a significant impact on communities, the environment and public confidence, so any measures that help agencies identify offenders more quickly and bring them to justice are positive.
“The recent Environment Agency investigation in Wingerworth highlights exactly why strong partnership working is so important. Large-scale illegal waste activity is often organised and complex, requiring local authorities, the Environment Agency, police and landowners to work closely together to tackle it effectively.”
In 2025, the Environment Agency received 10,238 reports of suspected waste crime, with the West Midlands and Yorkshire receiving the largest number of public reports, with 1,542 and 1,068 reports respectively.
The Environment Agency published annual heatmaps of waste gang hotspot operations on September 2 for the second time since they were first launched last year based on public information reported across England about suspected waste crime including carrying, dumping, or burning.
These annual reports are part of the Environment Agency’s 10 point plan to combat waste crime, and the maps help build the intelligence picture used to identify hotspots, target enforcement activity and disrupt criminal operations.
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle said: “For too long waste crime has blighted our towns, cities, and countryside.
“These heatmaps shine a light on the scale of the problem and how it has been left to fester. That’s why we are cracking down on the criminals behind it and giving the Environment Agency the tools it needs to go further and faster.
“Those who pollute our land, poison our waterways and line their pockets at the expense of local communities will face the full force of the law.”
A greater use of drones, more Environment Agency officers being placed on the front line, a bigger role for Mayors and the police, and a dramatic rise in fines are among some of the strategies planned to deter and punish those who dump waste illegally.
And a new Waste Crime Crackdown Group, chaired by Dame Angela Eagle, will operate to bring regulators and law enforcement together to dismantle criminal operations and deliver results.
The Government states intelligence from the public is also critical to helping the Environment Agency identify offending so that exploitative criminal gangs can be blocked from operating after statistics show only an estimated 27per cent of waste crimes are ever reported.
Government plans also include increasing the Environment Agency’s capacity to hunt down and confiscate the cash, cars, houses, and other assets bought with the proceeds of waste crime, and new powers in the Crime and Policing Act 2026 will be used to speed up enforcement of confiscation orders.
The Government is also giving the Environment Agency stronger powers to tackle waste crime so rogue actors who dump waste illegally or fail to treat it correctly are set to face fines of up to £5,000, up from the current maximum of £300. Those responsible for serious offences can already face much tougher sanctions, including prosecution and imprisonment.
From October 2026, a new digital waste tracking service will also make it easier to follow the movement of waste and identify illegal handling, and from 2027, reforms to the waste carriers, brokers and dealers’ regime will see a move from a registration to a permitted system which will require waste carriers to meet stricter rules.
Cllr Pickering added: “At North East Derbyshire District Council we have a strong record of taking action against environmental crime. In recent years we have secured prosecutions, issued fixed penalties, supported multi-agency investigations and taken enforcement action against those responsible for fly-tipping and waste offences. We have also invested in measures to deter offending and work pro-actively with residents and partner organisations to identify problem locations.
“We fully support efforts to give enforcement agencies stronger tools, improve intelligence sharing and make better use of technology, including waste tracking and surveillance equipment. These measures will help protect communities from the environmental and financial damage caused by organised waste crime.
“Residents have an important role to play. Information from local people is often crucial in helping identify offenders and build evidence. We would encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious activity, illegal dumping or fly-tipping to report it so appropriate action can be taken.
“Supporting cleaner, greener and safer communities is a key priority for the council. We will continue working with our partners to protect the environment, take action against offenders and ensure North East Derbyshire remains a place where people are proud to live, work and visit.”
The Environment Agency ensured illegal waste activity ceased at the derelict Bole Hill Quarry, in Wingerworth, in May, after receiving reports from the public.
Its teams are also carrying out a criminal investigation relating to the activity to track down suspected hauliers involved in alleged vehicle movements and those responsible, according to the Environment Agency.
The Environment Agency has also worked with the landowner who has removed the waste and taken steps to secure the site by putting a rock barrier in place.
Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said: “With more officers on the frontline and strengthened enforcement, we are disrupting criminal gangs and supporting legitimate operators. But intelligence from the public remains vital.
“If you see something suspicious – you must report it. Every piece of information helps us build the picture we need to act faster, intervene earlier and shut down criminal operations before they cause more harm to communities and the environment.”
Derbyshire Constabulary which works with partner agencies to tackle environmental crime also welcomes further powers to stop those who seek to bypass the rules.
A Derbyshire police spokesperson said: “Environmental crimes, like that seen in Wingerworth, have an enormous impact on the communities they fall within.
“It is also clear that those engaged in such criminality are organised in criminality – and are often involved in other serious crimes.
“We work closely with partner agencies already to tackle this type of offending, and welcome further powers to stamp down on those who seek to bypass the rules that other legitimate business follow – and that can have such devastating impact on the environment and our communities.”
Those wishing to report known or suspected illegal waste activity can do so anonymously to Crimestoppers via https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or by calling 0800 555 111, or they can contact the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or Derbyshire Constabulary on 101.
