Arrest Made in Connection with Large-Scale Illegal Dumping

A 39-year-old man from the Guildford area has been arrested in connection with large-scale illegal dumping in Oxfordshire. The arrest was made on Tuesday following cooperation between the Environment Agency and the South East Regional Organized Crime Unit.

Background of the Incident

The Environment Agency declared the site, which features a 40-foot "Mountain of waste" near Kidlington, a "critical incident" last week. The illegal site is located on the edge of Kidlington in Oxfordshire.

Response from the Environment Agency

Anna Burns, the Environment Agency’s area manager for the Thames, stated that the "appalling illegal dumping… has rightly caused outrage over the potential consequences for the community and the environment". The agency has been working around the clock with the South East Regional Organized Crime Unit to bring the perpetrators to justice and make them pay for this crime.

Ongoing Investigation

Phil Davies, head of the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, added that the Environment Agency is "working closely with other law enforcement partners to identify and arrest those responsible for the horrific illegal dumping". A number of active lines of inquiry are being pursued by specialist officers.

Details of the Dumping Site

Drone footage captured the sheer size of the garbage pile, believed to weigh hundreds of tons and consist of several truckloads of waste. The Environment Agency visited the site on July 2 following the initial report of the dumping and issued a cease-and-desist notice to prevent illegal activities. After continued activity, a court order was issued on October 23, and since then, no further tips have been given on site.