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An extensive BBC investigation has uncovered the existence of hundreds of illegal waste dumping sites operating throughout England, including at least eleven large-scale “super sites” that each contain tens of thousands of tonnes of rubbish. Despite the closure of over 700 such sites during the 2024/25 period, Environment Agency data indicates that approximately 517 illegal waste tips remained active by the end of last year.
Among the most significant illegal dumps still awaiting clearance are a site in Cheshire holding around 280,000 tonnes of waste, alongside two other large locations in Lancashire and Cornwall each containing roughly 50,000 tonnes. Additional sizeable tips include a 36,000-tonne site in Kent and a 20,000-tonne dump in Oxfordshire. Typically situated in secluded rural areas on land intended for agriculture, these sites have become hidden environmental hazards. Authorities attribute much of the illegal dumping to organised crime gangs, who undercut legitimate waste removal services by charging substantially lower fees to accept and bury waste.
Local residents and environmental advocates have voiced strong concerns about the failure to effectively tackle this problem, noting that many sites remain uncleared even when offenders have been identified and prosecuted. One prominent example is a site in Over, Gloucestershire, where tens of thousands of tonnes of waste have been deposited. Witnesses reported up to 50 vehicles accessing the location daily during its peak operation. In June 2025, a fire forced a temporary halt in activities, but the site still remains accessible and regularly experiences smoke and fire outbreaks that pose health and safety risks to the nearby community. Charlie Coats, chairman of Highnam Parish Council, described the site as a “significant blot on the landscape,” highlighting damage to vegetation, pollution of watercourses, and ongoing concerns about inadequate control measures.
Law enforcement officials paint a disturbing picture of the scale of this crime, drawing links between waste dumping and broader organised criminal enterprises including money laundering. For instance, recent raids across Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Worcestershire led to the seizure of nearly £100,000 in cash, firearms, counterfeit goods, and a stolen vehicle, resulting in arrests related to these illicit operations. Locals living near these sites report suffering from toxic smoke and unpleasant odors to the extent that outdoor activities have sometimes been curtailed for children’s safety. West Mercia Police Inspector Dave Wise emphasised the complexity of addressing such deeply-rooted criminal networks but reaffirmed the force’s commitment to ongoing investigations. The Environment
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