Following the announcement that Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Defra have launched a major new crackdown on criminal gangs operating illegal waste sites across the UK, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) has issued a response welcoming the government's commitment.

In an official public statement, CIWM commended the plan, which introduces increased fines up to £5,000, expanded frontline enforcement, and regional multi-agency partnerships, as a crucial step forward for the sector:

“This is a significant and commendable commitment from Government, marking a step change in the scale and focus of the ongoing fightback against waste crime. Our sector will not be defined by those who seek to undermine it and who profit from the misery, anxiety, and real damage that waste crime causes at every level.

“The sector has a critical role to play in this effort. By sharing intelligence and information, we can help target enforcement activity and disrupt the criminal activity undercutting legitimate businesses and operators. At the same time, we will continue to provide high-quality waste and resource management services that protect communities, support local economies, and safeguard the environment on which we all rely.

“CIWM and waste professionals across the sector will continue to work alongside government, local authorities, regulators and regional police forces as active partners in this crackdown.”

CIWM currently hosts the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group, enabling local authorities, policy-makers, and partners to adopt and evolve best practice, and serves as an active partner to both the Joint Unit on Waste Crime and the Government’s Tackling Waste Crime Performance Board.

For more information, please review the official Defra press release 'PM orders crackdown on the criminal gangs profiting from illegal waste and blighting communities'.