Agencies across the Liverpool City Region convened on Friday 16 October for the first ever Waste Crime Conference, held in Widnes. The event brought together multiple partners, including the Environment Agency, Merseyside Police, and local councils, to strengthen the collective fight against illegal waste activity.
The conference aimed to improve shared intelligence and resources to prevent waste crime and disrupt criminal networks. Partners agreed to work more closely, coordinating activity to protect communities and the environment from illegal waste operations.
This initiative is part of the Prime Minister’s crackdown on waste crime, with the government and Environment Agency working to target organised criminal gangs. An additional £45 million will be provided by the government over the next three years, on top of a previously announced £5.6 million increase for this financial year, to bolster enforcement efforts.
Ian Crewe, Area Director of the Environment Agency, stated that waste crime costs the English economy over £1 billion annually and harms communities, the environment, and legitimate businesses. Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Rob Budden from Merseyside Police added that waste crime is not a victimless offence, often linked to wider organised criminality and causing significant costs for taxpayers.