AN arrest has been made and heavy goods vehicle seized during an investigation into suspected illegal waste dumping in Merseyside.

On Monday:- 2 February 2026, following allegations of illegal dumping, the Environment Agency joined forces with the Joint Unit for Waste Crime (JUWC) and Merseyside Police in the operation at an alleged illegal waste site in Liverpool.

Jennifer Brittlebank, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency, said:- “We’ve taken immediate action following suspected illegal waste activity in Liverpool. We share the public’s disgust with illegal dumping and the significant harm it causes to the environment and communities. Waste crime will not be tolerated and we continue to work tirelessly with our partners to take action against those suspected of being involved.”

Phil Davies, Joint Unit for Waste Crime manager, added:- “This arrest is another fantastic example of the combined and co-ordinated law enforcement capabilities being used in the fight against waste crime. We continue to work hard to protect communities and the environment, and we would encourage people to report incidents of waste crime and information about those who are responsible.”

Merseyside Police Neighbourhood Inspector Michelle Ingram said:- “It is pleasing to see this investigation progress with an arrest. Merseyside Police will continue to support our Environment Agency and local authority partners to tackle the harm caused by waste crime.”

The JUWC is hosted by the Environment Agency and involves 12 partner agencies. It has led or attended 361 multi-agency days of action, which resulted in 186 associated arrests by other agencies by September 2025.

The JUWC recently expanded, doubling in size increasing its resource and skillset to shut down serious and organised waste criminals. With experienced Environment Agency enforcement and investigation officers and ex-police officers bringing a wealth of crime-fighting knowledge and tactics.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should report it to the Environment Agency on:- 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111.

Everyone can help to prevent waste crime:-

• Find out what to do with rubbish that cannot be put out for kerbside collection.
• Before paying a private waste collector to take rubbish away, search the ‘Environment Agency public register of waste carriers’ to check they are a registered waste carrier. If they are not on it – they are not legal.
• Advice for landowners to protect themselves against waste crime.