Even though more than half of farmers and landowners have been killed, only one of the four waste crimes has been reported, the Environment Agency warns.
Farmers are urged to report all incidents of waste waste. Figures show that nearly three-quarters of waste crimes have not been reported.
The warning has revealed that the agency has published its latest national waste crime investigation, revealing that 57% of landowners and farmers are affected by waste crimes, but only 12% have reported the latest crimes they have experienced.
Illegal waste dumping – often organized by organized criminal gangs – continues to plague country land and private property.
The waste industry, landowners and farmers who responded to the survey estimated that 35% of waste crimes are related to organized crime groups drawn by favorable benefits.
Three men followed a massive investigation last year as three men were found guilty of dumping more than 26,000 tons of removed waste in 17 locations across the UK.
The criminals were spoofing legal operators and offered low-cost waste disposal to waste sites before they abandoned the materials.
Earlier this year, a Hertfordshire farmer was forced to pay thousands of pounds after clearing 40 tons of illegally dumped waste from her land.
Under the new government’s recent plan, fraudulent operators handling illegal waste could face up to five years in prison.
Steve Mollineau, deputy director of the Environment Agency’s Waste Control, highlighted the serious damage caused by illegal waste activities and described it as a “toxic crime” that harms the community, the environment and the wider economy.
He states: “The Environment Agency is determined to use all the power and resources to stop waste criminals, but this is not the only way possible.
“Our research has shown that almost three-quarters of waste crimes have not been reported, so by sharing what we know about people who carry out these heinous crimes, we are urging the industry and the public to help stop waste offenders faster.”
The financial and environmental impacts of crime on farmers, landowners and the waste industry are immeasurable.
Research shows that 52% reported losses of over 50,000 pounds from illegal waste sites, and 44% were responsible for the costs of exporting illegal waste.
Sam Corporation, the Environmental Services Association’s regulatory director, highlighted the scale of the issue, pointing to the fact that more than half of UK farmers and landowners are affected by illegal waste dumping.
He states: “The findings are further evidence of the waste crime epidemic facing the UK, much of which is being done by organized crime groups.
“It is essential that we all exercise our duty of care to ensure that waste is put into the hands of criminals. As we see it across society, we report all waste crimes when we see it to help authorities identify and stop the perpetrator.”
