The Environment agency has launched a new Economic Crime Unit to tackle money laundering in the waste sector.
It builds on the work of the Environment Agency Financial Investigations Team, which has had significant success in seizing money and assets.
Working with partners across law enforcement, the Environment Agency has now expanded this team into the Economic Crime Unit.
Last year the environmental watchdog found 18% of waste in England may be illegally managed with waste crime costing the economy £1 billion every year through evaded tax, environmental and social harm and lost legitimate business.
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Environment Agency chair Alan Lovell commented: “Money being taken away from other essential services to deal with the damage caused by waste criminals.
“The Environment Agency is committed to taking tough action and the launch of our dedicated Economic Crime Unit shows we will not tolerate organised criminals moving into the waste sector and using it to facilitate other crimes.”
Environment minister Robbie Moore added: “The establishment of the Economic Crime Unit provides another powerful tool in our fight against waste criminals who undermine legitimate business and blight communities.
“We are going further to remould the waste industry and combat cowboy operators, including by introducing mandatory digital waste tracking and reforming the waste carriers regime, meaning those transporting or making decisions about waste must demonstrate they are competent to do so.”
