Man arrested and HGV seized in swoop on Liverpool illegal dumping site

Officials from the Environment Agency and Merseyside Police visited the location to make the arrest

A joint operation at an illegal waste site in Liverpool has led to an arrest and the seizure of a heavy goods vehicle (HGV). As part of an ongoing investigation into suspected waste dumping across Merseyside, officials from the Environment Agency joined forces with the Joint Unit for Waste Crime (JUWC) and Merseyside Police.

Officers visited the location earlier this week where the HGV was taken and a man taken into custody. The JUWC is hosted by the Environment Agency and involves 12 partner agencies.

The operation is not thought to be linked to the huge illegal dump site uncovered by the ECHO earlier this week in Kirkby at this stage. The investigations into both locations are continuing.

More than 180 people have been arrested following operations conducted by the JUWC since September last year. It is hosted by the Environment Agency and involves 12 partner agencies.

Jennifer Brittlebank, area environment manager for the Environment Agency, said: “We’ve taken immediate action following suspected illegal waste activity in Liverpool. We share the public’s disgust with illegal dumping and the significant harm it causes to the environment and communities.

“Waste crime will not be tolerated and we continue to work tirelessly with our partners to take action against those suspected of being involved.”

Phil Davies, Joint Unit for Waste Crime manager, added: “This arrest is another fantastic example of the combined and co-ordinated law enforcement capabilities being used in the fight against waste crime.

“We continue to work hard to protect communities and the environment, and we would encourage people to report incidents of waste crime and information about those who are responsible.”

Anyone with information should report it to the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Merseyside Police neighbourhood inspector, Michelle Ingram, said: “It is pleasing to see this investigation progress with an arrest. Merseyside Police will continue to support our Environment Agency and local authority partners to tackle the harm caused by waste crime.”

Earlier this week, tens of thousands of tonnes of heavy duty rubbish were found dumped on a field near Kirkby, in what local leaders have labelled an act of “utterly shocking and organised criminal activity”.

The scale of the site – estimated to contain approximately 30,000 tonnes of rubbish – makes it one of the largest illegal waste dumps ever found.