Amanda Milling, Member of Parliament for Cannock Chase, has welcomed a review launched by the Government into serious waste crime.
In recent years, there have been several serious fires at illegal waste sites, including one at a farm in Slitting Mill, Rugeley. Since this fire in 2016, the Cannock Chase MP has been calling on the Government to take more action to tackle illegal waste, and has been working with the Environment Agency and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service to identify any new powers the agencies require to tackle illegal waste and, therefore, prevent fires.
The government review will look at how to further crack-down on Organised Crime Groups (OCGs), who profit from waste crime.
The review will:
• Consider the types of crimes being committed and organised crime groups involved;
• Consider the environmental, community and economic impacts of serious and organised waste crime;
• Consider how the Environment Agency, other organisations, and the law enforcement system can work together to tackle the threat;
• Make recommendations for a strategic approach to serious and organised waste crime.
Amanda Milling MP said: “Illegal waste sites are becoming big business for organised crime gangs and, along with fly-tipping, pose a risk to public safety. I am very pleased that the Government is looking at this matter as it is an issue I have been raising with the Government since the Slitting Mill fire.”
This review follows the Environment Agency being granted more powers by the Government to prevent access to illegal waste sites, and powers to force operators and land owners to clear sites of all waste, illegal or otherwise.