Four members of the Environment Agency (EA) spent yesterday (Thursday) on the Isle of Wight, as part of one of four ‘days of action’ across the South East region.
Operation Rooster, which aims to crack down on illegal waste crime, saw several sites visited across the Island.
Photos from one of the visits to a suspected illegal waste site, where evidence was collected (which can’t be named for legal reasons), were tweeted out this morning as a warning to anyone considering dumping illegal waste.
The owners of the site where evidence was taken will be receiving contact from the EA in due course.
NB to readers: Even if you do believe you know where this site is, please do not name it in the comments, as no prosecution has been brought yet and there may be a rational or legitimate reason for what was found.
A range of incidents
The four EA officers had initially planned to make eight inspections on the Island, but the number rose to nine after another incident was reported to the Environment Agency whilst the officers were here.
They revisited two sites they’d been to before to check on progress, as well as inspecting several vehicles, responding to other incidents of illegal burning of waste and large-scale fly-tipping.
Ian Walton from the EA explained to OnTheWight that those collecting waste without permits were not regulated, and because they weren’t paying fees were able to undercut their regulated competitors.
That often resulted in waste being either illegally burnt or buried, both of which cause harm to the environment.
Anonymous reporting
The EA are very interested to hear about large or small-scale incidents and encourage members of the public to get in touch.
You can call Crimestoppers or the EA anonymously to report incidents by calling 0800 555111 (Crimestoppers) or 0800 807060 (EA).
Image: © Environment Agency
