Apprehensions Executed in Link to Massive Illegal Rubbish Dump

Two individuals have been arrested as an element of an investigation into the tipping of many thousands of metric tons of refuse in a open field in the county of Oxfordshire.

Authorities reported that a 69-year-old was arrested at a residence in Hampshire's Andover, while a 54-year-old was detained in Slough in connection with the huge pile of rubbish tipped near Kidlington, Oxfordshire.

These apprehensions come after a recent revelation which revealed the operation of more than 500 illegal dumps throughout England, encompassing at minimum 11 so-called "major sites" larger than 20,000 tonnes.

A spokeswoman for the regulatory agency stated that the apprehensions were for environment-related and proceeds of crime violations and were a "key step" in continuing inquiries. The two individuals have been set free on conditional release.

Size of the Problem

The tipping ground in near Kidlington, positioned between the Cherwell River and the A34 road, is thought to contain about 21,000 tons of rubbish in a heap which is up to 150m (490ft) long and 6m (20ft) high.

This mound of waste is composed of what looks to be treated residential waste, fragmented plastics, Styrofoam, automobile tires and assorted household items.

It represents just a single of 517 illegal dumps across England, at a minimum of 11 of which contain over 20,000 tonnes of garbage. These encompass a 280,000-tonne location in the county of Cheshire, two 50,000-tonne locations in Lancashire and Cornwall and a 36,000-tonne site in Kent.

The overall number of such larger locations is probably to be higher, as the environmental agency has earlier acknowledged it does not maintain data on weight for every unauthorized tip.

A large proportion of such locations are in rural locations, typically concealed, and on land that is zoned as farm ground.

Organised Activity

Police report numerous are operated by criminal organizations, who are making money by asking for significantly less than licensed companies to accept and bury garbage.

Firms have to incur disposal fees to use licensed disposal sites, depending on the quantity and type of refuse they are trying to get rid of, and a waste tax is also charged at just over £126 per metric ton.

Local Outrage

Preparation work to remove the affected dump started recently due to concerns over the risk of blaze and the impact that would have on the close-by major road.

A contracted waste removal contractor has been granted the contract to handle the site over the next 12 months at a expense of £9.6m.

An enforcement manager for the country's environmental crime team stated that the authority would be aiming to recoup the remediation costs under proceeds of crime laws from any individual ultimately prosecuted at the termination of its current investigation.

She noted that the recent arrests would help "move the inquiry forward" and enable authorities to "investigate more leads to ascertain exactly what happened and who was a party to it".

"The illegal tip at this location was an appalling and intentional attack on our natural surroundings and the authorities share the public's frustration at this horrific offence," she stated.

A senior representative supported the detentions, adding: "The unauthorized dumping of garbage at this location is appalling and has caused significant harm to the ecology and upset to the nearby residents.

"Our government is pledged to stamping out this kind of illegal activity throughout the nation, by augmenting financing to combat waste crime, recruiting more staff and enacting tougher checks and fines for those who flout the rules."

The apprehensions were made on Thursday by agents from a dedicated serious crime unit and follow an prior apprehension of a 39-year-old from the Surrey area in November. He was let go awaiting more enquiries.