Two more people have been arrested in a major organized crime investigation into a massive illegal dumping of waste at a site in rural Oxfordshire.
The arrests, made on Thursday (January 29), mark the latest escalation in the Environment Agency’s investigation into serious waste crimes that have long caused concern in the Kidlington community.
Officers from the South East Regional Organized Crime Unit assisted the Environment Agency and worked with several police forces to execute warrants at two separate locations.
A 69-year-old man was arrested at a property in Andover and a 54-year-old man was detained in Slough.
Both men were arrested on suspicion of environmental crimes and money laundering, and authorities are investigating financial activities related to the alleged waste crimes.
The Environment Agency said the investigation was being led by the National Environmental Crime Unit, reflecting the scale and seriousness of the crime.
The latest arrests build on previous arrests made in November and are part of efforts to identify and hold those responsible accountable.
Large-scale illegal dumping is a problem in rural Britain, with farmers often paying the cost and disruption of waste dumped on private land, on doorsteps or on farm roads.
Industry groups have warned that flies can contaminate soil and waterways, restrict access for livestock and machinery, and leave landowners facing significant clean-up costs and potential liability.
Emma Vinner, enforcement and investigation manager at the Environment Agency’s National Environmental Crime Unit, said the impact at the Kidlington site was severe.
“Illegal dumping in Kidlington was a brutal and deliberate attack on our environment and the Environment Agency shares the anger of local residents at this horrific crime,” she said.
He said close cooperation between government agencies was key to progress.
“These joint efforts resulted in additional arrests, which is another important step in gathering new evidence and moving the investigation forward,” she said.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said the incident highlighted the Government’s efforts to tackle waste crime.
“The illegal dumping of waste in Kidlington is appalling, causing significant damage to the environment and distress to the local community,” she said.
“I welcome these arrests. They are an important step towards securing justice for local residents.”
He added: “The government is committed to eradicating this type of crime across the country by increasing waste crime funding, increasing the number of police officers and introducing tougher checks and penalties for lawbreakers.”
Both suspects were released on conditional bail pending investigations.
The Environment Agency first responded to reports of waste being dumped at the Kidlington site in July 2025, with staff immediately attending.
A second visit was made in late the same month, but no changes were found, so a cease and desist letter was submitted to prevent further dumping.
However, continued illegal activity was identified in October and the Environment Agency obtained a court order to close the site in October 2025.
No further waste has been input since this order was granted.
In December the Environment Agency confirmed that planning work had begun to clear the site.
A waste removal contract has since been signed and Acumen Waste Services Ltd is preparing for the removal work, which is scheduled to begin at the end of February.
The Environment Agency said its investigation is ongoing and further enforcement action may be taken depending on developments in the case.
