The Environment Agency has today, 24 July 2026, announced the conclusion of Operation Unite, an 18-week nationwide enforcement campaign targeting waste sites suspected of criminal activity. The operation, which commenced in March, saw officers inspect 42 sites across England, leading to significant enforcement action against non-compliant operators.
A total of 17 environmental permits have either been suspended or are in the process of being revoked, with more than 30 new criminal investigations now underway. The Environment Agency also gathered crucial intelligence during the operation, which is expected to inform future enforcement efforts against waste criminals in the coming months.
Among the notable outcomes, two illegal waste sites at Simonswood and Williams Brothers Industrial Estates in West Lancashire were shut down. This action followed numerous complaints from local residents regarding foul smells and dust emanating from the sites, directly prompting the Environment Agency's intervention. Operators at these locations were issued with orders to cease all activities or face prosecution.
Further afield, a multi-agency visit to Twyford Recycling Limited near Chichester resulted in the immediate suspension of their permit due to fire safety concerns and a heightened risk of pollution. The company, which processes waste tyres, was ordered to stop accepting new waste and clear its site. In Hull, Transwaste Aggregates and Recycling Limited, a major waste management facility, faced a permit suspension after inspectors identified significant fire risks and multiple permit non-compliances. While Transwaste has since addressed immediate fire risks, further work is required to ensure full compliance.
Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, stated that Operation Unite sends a clear message to waste criminals, emphasising that their days of operating undetected are over. Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle underscored the government's commitment to tackling waste crime, highlighting that it blights communities, pollutes the environment, and disadvantages legitimate businesses. She reiterated a zero-tolerance approach, supported by £45 million in funding for the Environment Agency's enforcement operations.
Operation Unite forms a key component of the Environment Agency’s 10-Point Plan to combat waste crime, signifying a more robust enforcement strategy. This plan prioritises putting permits at risk where criminal involvement is detected, with this commitment now being actively delivered on the ground. The agency confirmed that by proactively targeting high-risk operators and leveraging intelligence from local communities, it is intensifying its fight against waste criminals, with additional targeted operations already in the planning stages.