🔗 Share this article

Two individuals have been arrested as a component of an investigation into the tipping of thousands of metric tons of refuse in a rural field in the county of Oxfordshire.

Law enforcement stated that a 69-year-old was arrested at a property in Hampshire's Andover, while a 54-year-old was detained in the town of Slough in association with the enormous heap of waste deposited near the area of Kidlington.

These apprehensions come after a previous investigation which revealed the operation of more than 500 illegal sites across England, encompassing at a minimum of 11 so-called "super sites" larger than 20,000 tonnes.

A representative for the regulatory body said that the arrests were for environment-related and financial offences and represented a "crucial step" in continuing inquiries. Both men have been released on pre-trial release.

Size of the Problem

The dump in Kidlington, situated between the River Cherwell and the A34 highway, is estimated to house about 21,000 metric tons of waste in a pile which is up to 150m (490ft) in length and 6m (20ft) in height.

This mound of rubbish is made up of what seems to be treated residential refuse, chopped up plastics, Styrofoam, tyres and various domestic articles.

It constitutes just one example of 517 illegal tips throughout the country, at minimum 11 of which hold over 20,000 tons of waste. They include a 280,000-tonne location in Cheshire, two 50,000-tonne sites in Lancashire and Cornwall and a 36,000-tonne dump in Kent.

The total amount of such bigger sites is likely to be larger, as the regulatory agency has previously indicated it does not maintain data on volume for all unlawful tip.

A large proportion of sites are in countryside settings, frequently hidden, and on land that is zoned as farm ground.

Criminal Operations

Police state a significant number are run by organized crime groups, who are generating profit by asking for much less than licensed companies to take and landfill waste.

Firms have to incur disposal fees to use legitimate disposal sites, contingent on the quantity and nature of refuse they are trying to discard, and landfill tax is also applied at just over £126 per ton.

Local Anger

Preparatory operations to clear the Kidlington area location began in recent weeks due to concerns over the potential of blaze and the consequences that would have on the adjacent highway.

A contracted waste clearance company has been awarded the job to deal with the site over the coming 12 months at a cost of £9.6m.

An enforcement official for the country's environment unit stated that the body would be looking to claim back the clean-up funds under proceeds of crime laws from anyone prosecuted at the end of its ongoing investigation.

She added that this week's apprehensions would help "drive the investigation forward" and permit authorities to "investigate more avenues to ascertain exactly what happened and who was involved".

"This unauthorized site at this location was an appalling and deliberate attack on our environment and the authorities share the community's frustration at this horrific crime," she remarked.

A senior minister supported the arrests, stating: "The unauthorized dumping of waste at this location is utterly appalling and has led to substantial damage to the environment and anguish to the surrounding population.

"Our administration is dedicated to stamping out this kind of illegal activity in the country, by increasing funds to tackle waste crime, employing more personnel and implementing more severe controls and penalties for those who flout the regulations."

The detentions were executed on the specified day by agents from a regional serious crime team and follow an previous arrest of a 39-year-old from the Guildford area region in November. He was set free awaiting more inquiries.