Four arrests have been made following a large-scale illegal waste dumping operation in Wigan, prompting the council to support enforcement action.
An announcement from the Environment Agency yesterday confirmed that the investigation identified four men as suspects, who have been arrested for environmental, fraud, and money laundering offences.
According to the Government, the arrests help to meet the aims of its Waste Crime Action plan and its ‘zero-tolerance approach to waste crime’.
The Bolton House Road waste site has been the source of unpleasant smells which have ‘caused misery for local residents’, the statement reveals. It was also responsible for a week-long fire that required the closure of schools last summer.
To support the restoration of the area, the Government has pledged to fund the clean-up operation for the site, with Wigan Council being supported in recruiting a specialist contractor who will oversee the work.
There has also been ‘robust action’ taken by the council, such as concrete blocks being placed at the entrance to the site to prevent the dumping of further waste there.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: ‘This is not fly tipping. This is organised crime, and it is local communities that are paying the price.’
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle commented: ‘The appalling dumping of waste at Bolton House Road and Cave’s Inn Pits represents a blatant disregard for local communities and the environment.’
‘I want to be clear to waste criminals: we are coming for you’, she added.
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