A 39-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the UK’s biggest ever illegal fly-tipping case. The huge waste dumping happened at a site in Kidlington, Oxfordshire.
Major Crime Unit Cracks Down
An Environment Agency spokesperson revealed the arrest came after a joint effort between their Major Investigation team and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit. The suspect, from the Guildford area, was taken into custody on Tuesday, 25 November.
“Following the initial report on 2 July, Environment Agency officers acted fast, issuing a cease-and-desist letter to stop the tipping. When the dumping continued through October, a court order forced closure of the site on 23 October,” the spokesperson said.
“No more tipping has occurred since. The site remains a live crime scene and is off limits to the public.”
“Our National Environmental Crime Unit leads the investigation, determined to find all those responsible and bring them to justice. This arrest is a key step forward for the local community.”
Environmental Safeguards in Place
The Environment Agency is busy protecting the area, assessing risks to the nearby River Cherwell. They have started installing large sandbags between the waste pile and the river as a protective barrier.
Additionally, the site is now secured with Heras fencing to block public access to this active crime scene while investigations continue.
Authorities vow to keep fighting illegal waste dumping to safeguard the environment and local residents.
