(Image: DEFRA/Northumbria Police)
A man has been arrested in connection with suspected illegal waste dumping.
The 32-year-old was detained in Sunderland early today (Thursday, October 1), following a joint operation by Northumbria Police and the Environment Agency.
The male is presently in custody and is being questioned about the illegal disposal of waste at the former Dewhirst site on Thorpe Road in Peterlee and at Hart Quarry in Hartlepool.
Mark Rumble, environmental crime team leader at the Environment Agency, said: "This arrest is an important step as our investigation into illegal dumping in the North East continues.
"Illegal waste sites are a blight on our communities and residents should not have to live next to eyesores and put up with the smells.
"We have stepped up enforcement action with our 10-point plan and I want to make it clear that we'll do everything possible to trace those suspected of being involved."
The arrest is part of a broader investigation into three illegal waste sites, including locations in Peterlee, Hartlepool, and Callerton near Newcastle Airport, with thousands of tonnes of waste reportedly dumped across all three.
Hartlepool (Image: DEFRA)
All sites were reported to the Environment Agency during the summer.
The agency worked with landowners to quickly shut down the sites and installed concrete blocks to prevent further access.
Investigators have since searched the locations and collected evidence to identify those responsible.
Hartlepool (Image: DEFRA)
The Environment Agency is ramping up action on waste crime through its 10-point plan, introduced as part of the Government’s wider efforts to tackle environmental offences before they become entrenched.
In August, the Government announced additional measures to combat waste crime, including deploying more Environment Agency officers, increasing fines, and introducing tougher penalties for serious offences.
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle said: "We said the years of organised criminal gangs getting away with dumping waste were over, and today's arrest shows we are delivering on that promise.
"This arrest is a vital step in delivering justice for communities across the North East who have wrongly had to put up with these horrendous sites.
"Through our crackdown, we are stopping the cycle of waste crime and putting more officers on the frontline to restore pride in our communities."
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"We will bring waste criminals to justice", she added.
Illegally dumped waste poses significant risks to public health and the environment, while also undermining legitimate businesses and burdening landowners with clean-up costs.
Waste crime is estimated to cost the UK more than £1 billion each year.