Authorities have arrested two men in connection with a massive illegal rubbish dump found near Kidlington in Oxfordshire. Investigators estimate that the site holds around 21,000 tonnes of waste, placing it among the largest illegal dumps in England.
Police Arrest Two Suspects
First, officers arrested a 69 year old man at a property in Andover, Hampshire. Shortly after, they arrested a 54 year old man in Slough. Investigators suspect both men of environmental offences and money laundering linked to the dump.
Police later released both suspects on bail while enquiries continue. Earlier, officers had also arrested a 39 year old man from the Guildford area in November as part of the same investigation.
What Authorities Found at the Site
The illegal dump lies between the River Cherwell and the A34. The waste pile stretches nearly 150 metres and rises up to six metres high. It contains shredded plastics, polystyrene, tyres, and processed household waste.
Because of its size, the site poses serious risks. For example, officials fear fires could spread quickly and disrupt traffic on nearby roads. As a result, cleanup preparation began earlier this month.
Illegal Dumps Across England
However, the Kidlington site is not an isolated case. Authorities have identified 517 illegal waste dumps across England. At least 11 of these qualify as super sized sites holding more than 20,000 tonnes of waste.
For instance, Cheshire has a dump containing about 280,000 tonnes. Meanwhile, Lancashire and Cornwall each have sites with around 50,000 tonnes. Kent also hosts a large dump holding roughly 36,000 tonnes. The Environment Agency believes the true number may be higher due to missing data.
How Criminal Gangs Profit
Most illegal dumps appear in rural areas on land meant for farming. According to police, organised crime groups often run these operations. They attract customers by charging far less than licensed waste sites.
Legitimate operators must pay landfill fees and a tax of over £126 per tonne. Criminal groups avoid these costs and pocket the profits.
Cleanup Costs and Legal Action
Meanwhile, officials expect the Kidlington cleanup to take up to 12 months. A private waste firm has taken on the job at a cost of £9.6 million.
The Environment Agency plans to recover this money through the Proceeds of Crime Act if courts secure convictions. Emma Viner from the agency said the arrests pushed the investigation forward and opened new lines of enquiry.
Government and Community Reaction
Local residents have voiced strong anger over the environmental damage. In response, Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds welcomed the arrests and stressed the government’s commitment to tackling waste crime.
She confirmed plans to increase funding, hire more officers, and introduce tougher checks to prevent similar crimes nationwide.
