An illegal waste dump estimated to contain about 2,500 tonnes of shredded household waste is being investigated in Hartlepool.
The Environment Agency said the site was reported on 18 August. Officers worked with the landowner to shut it down and place concrete blocks across access points to prevent further dumping.
An investigation is now under way, while plans are being made with the landowner to clear the waste.
Largest of three sites under investigation
The Hartlepool dump is the largest of three North East sites reported to the Environment Agency over recent weeks. A site at Peterlee is estimated to contain 400 tonnes of waste, while another at Callerton near Newcastle Airport is also estimated at 400 tonnes.
Together, the three sites contain almost 3,500 tonnes of shredded household waste. The Peterlee site was reported on 17 July and the Callerton site on 24 August.
Mark Rumble, Environmental Crime Team Leader at the Environment Agency, said: “We’ve taken quick action to block access to these sites to prevent further dumping and investigations are underway.”
He said illegal waste sites affected nearby communities and warned that the agency would seek to hold those responsible to account. The work forms part of the Environment Agency’s 10 Point Plan to tackle waste crime.
How to report suspected waste crime
Residents are advised to check the public register of waste carriers before paying anyone to remove waste and to keep a written record of where it is taken.
Suspected illegal dumping, suspicious waste movements or burning can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The Environment Agency incident line is available on 0800 807060.
The details and photographs were supplied by the Environment Agency through the DEFRA North communications desk.
