Farmers encouraged to report waste crime as new measures to combat it are rolled out

20/02/26 - News

As part of a major crackdown on waste crime, the Environment Agency has announced a new package of surveillance and investigative measures designed to detect and stop it from happening in the first place. These include deployment of drone squads and a bolstered Waste Crime Unit to help prosecute illegal operators.

The new capabilities are backed by a reinforced Joint Unit for Waste Crime – now a 20-strong group of specialists working closely with law enforcement partners to dismantle organised criminal networks. This builds on a record year for waste enforcement, with 751 illegal waste sites shut down.

Drone surveillance and Lidar mapping

An enhanced 33-strong drone squad will now track down illegal dumps from the air. These drones will soon be equipped with Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology, which fires millions of laser points per second towards the ground below to create highly detailed maps of illegal waste sites. These maps can be used as evidence in court to help bring waste criminals to justice.

Lorry licence screening

The Environment Agency has also developed a new screening tool that enables EA officers to scan and cross-check lorry licence applications against waste permit records – with suspect operators flagged before they have a chance to move waste illegally. This new tool has already been trialled successfully in East Anglia, where it helped the agency uncover a waste company that had secretly relocated its HGV operations to evade enforcement. The software flagged the new operating centre within a week, allowing EA officers to intervene before a licence was approved.

Recruiting more officers to the Joint Unit for Waste Crime

The Environment Agency has also increased the size of the Joint Unit for Waste Crime from 13 to 20 specialists, including former police officers. Alongside EA enforcement officers across the country, the Unit brings together multiple organisations, including police forces and the National Crime Agency, to disrupt serious and organised waste crime.

Phil Davies, Head of the Joint Unit for Waste Crime Unit said:

“Illegal waste dumping is appalling, and we are determined to turn the tide on this heinous crime.

“With organised criminals becoming ever more sophisticated, we are adopting new technologies to find and, importantly, stop them.

“Through the greater use of drones, stronger partnerships and more officers on the ground, we will build on our action so far and send a clear message to those committing waste crimes - we will stop you.”

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said:

“This Government is aggressively pursuing waste criminals and bringing offenders to justice.

"By increasing the Environment Agency’s enforcement budget by over 50% to £15.6 million, we’re investing in cutting‑edge technology that allows us to shut down illegal operators faster and more effectively.

"From advanced laser‑mapping to drone surveillance and new vehicle‑scanning tools, this technology is helping us track, expose and stop waste crime, ensuring those who blight our communities are held to account.”

Farmers encouraged to take action

The Environment Agency is urging farmers and landowners, along with those in the waste industry and the wider public to report suspicious activity. Every report helps build the intelligence picture and supports targeted enforcement action.

If you spot suspected waste crime, you should report it to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website. Reports submitted to Crimestoppers is 100% anonymous.

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