The UK Government is considering granting the Environment Agency ‘police-style’ powers to tackle waste.
As part of the plans, enforcement officers would be able to arrest suspected criminals, seize assets, and search premises without a warrant.
Waste criminals caught transporting and dealing with waste illegally could also face up to five years in prison under the plans. Anyone convicted of fly-tipping could also receive penalty points on their driving licences.
The government is seeking to expand the Environment Agency’s powers under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE), as well as the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA).
The announcement comes as the government prepares to publish its new ‘Waste Crime Action Plan’ later today.
Commenting on the announcement, Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: “Waste crime is a disgrace. It blights our countryside and communities, damaging our environment and economy.”
“That is why we are taking decisive action. We’re giving the Environment Agency the police-like powers they need to stop waste criminals in their tracks and bring those responsible swiftly to justice.”
Between July 2024 and the end of 2025, the Environment Agency secured 122 prosecutions, which led to 10 immediate custodial sentences, and shut down 1,205 illegal waste sites.
Chief Executive of the Environment Agency Philip Duffy commented: “Waste crime causes misery across communities, and we have significantly stepped up our response to it already. But we are not standing still.”
“While having more boots on the ground is important in tackling these criminal networks, we also need to make sure our officers have as many powers as possible to bring them down.”
