| answer text |
<p>The Government is committed to tackling waste crime, which is a blight on our local
communities and the environment and damages legitimate businesses. We have strengthened
regulators' powers, are tightening the law and have increased the Environment Agency's
budget by £10 million per year to make it harder for rogue operators to find work
in the sector and easier for regulators to take action against criminals. We are also
providing grants to councils across the country to help them purchase equipment to
tackle fly-tipping. Recipients include London Borough of Newham Council and London
Borough of Waltham Forest Council.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Environment
Agency is aware of recent suspected large scale illegal deposits of waste in the Enfield
area. Those suspected of being involved are subject to Operation Angola and an investigation
into this group is ongoing. The Environment Agency also has ongoing investigations
into large scale organised illegal depositing of waste and are progressing several
major cases one of which is going through the court system at this time. All reports
of waste related crime are recorded on the Environment Agency National Incident Recording
System and investigated in order of seriousness.</p><p> </p><p>In the South London
area (that also includes Kent), Environment Agency investigations to date have resulted
in 20 successful prosecutions. Active on-going investigations are targeting priority
offenders linked to large scale illegal disposal of waste with a current focus in
Kingston, Croydon and Sutton. These investigations are being undertaken with partner
organisations such as the police and local authorities.</p>
|
|
