Kamal Ghorui
The UK government is considering granting enforcement officers of the Environment Agency (EA) police-style powers to strengthen the crackdown on waste crime, including fly-tipping and illegal dumping, ministers announced ahead of the upcoming Waste Crime Action Plan.Under the proposals, EA officials could be authorised to search premises without a warrant, seize assets and arrest suspects linked to illegal waste activities. The measures aim to target organised criminal networks profiting from unlawful waste disposal.
Tougher powers to tackle waste crime
The government said it is exploring expanding the agency’s authority under legislation such as the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). Officials believe the enhanced powers would enable enforcement officers to intervene earlier and disrupt criminal groups involved in the illegal waste trade.The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the move would place the EA among a small number of organisations with such enforcement capabilities, signalling that waste crime is being treated as serious organised crime.
Ministers say stronger action is needed
UK Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said the government is taking decisive steps to address the problem.“Waste crime is a disgrace. It blights our countryside and communities, damaging our environment and economy,” Reynolds said, adding that the proposed powers would help stop offenders quickly and bring them to justice.The new laws would be introduced when parliamentary time allows, the government said.
Scale of the problem
Authorities say waste crime has grown increasingly sophisticated and costly. According to estimates by the Environmental Services Association, tackling the issue costs England’s economy around £1 billion every year.Government figures show that councils in England dealt with about 1.26 million fly-tipping incidents between 2024 and 2025, with household waste accounting for around 62% of cases.From July 2024 to the end of 2025, the Environment Agency secured 122 prosecutions, resulting in 10 immediate custodial sentences and the closure of more than 1,200 illegal waste sites.
New penalties and financial tracking
Officials are also exploring mechanisms to allow enforcement bodies to share information about suspected waste criminals with banks and finance companies, potentially cutting off financial support for illegal operators.Under separate proposed legislation, individuals caught transporting or dealing with waste illegally could face prison sentences of up to five years.The government has also proposed measures that could see drivers receive penalty points on their licences if caught fly-tipping. Accumulating 12 or more points within three years could lead to disqualification from driving.
Mixed political response
Tim Farron, environment spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, welcomed the plans to expand the agency’s powers but said they did not go far enough.Farron argued that the National Crime Agency should take a leading role in investigating waste crime, describing fly-tipping as “environmental vandalism” that requires stronger enforcement.The government’s forthcoming Waste Crime Action Plan is expected to outline further measures to tackle illegal dumping and restore confidence in environmental enforcement across England.
