Rogue waste gangs exposed as heat maps reveal England's illegal dumping hotspots
The Environment Agency has published heat maps identifying suspected waste crime hotspots across England, enabling targeted enforcement against illegal dumping and burning operations.
The Environment Agency has released new heat maps highlighting areas where suspected waste crime—such as illegal dumping, burning, or transporting waste—has been reported. These maps, informed by public reports, are part of a broader 10-point plan to combat waste crime and help prioritise enforcement efforts to disrupt criminal networks. The data reveals regional hotspots, with the West Midlands and Yorkshire receiving the highest number of public reports in 2025.
In response to persistent illegal waste sites, the government is increasing frontline enforcement with more Environment Agency officers, drones, and regional collaboration involving mayors and police forces. A new Waste Crime Crackdown Group, led by Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle, will coordinate regulators and law enforcement to dismantle criminal operations. Fines for illegal waste dumping are set to rise significantly, from £300 to £5,000, while stronger asset confiscation powers under the Crime and Policing Act 2026 will target the proceeds of crime.
Public intelligence remains critical to identifying waste crime, with only an estimated 27% of incidents reported. The government is also introducing a digital waste tracking service in October 2026 to monitor waste movements and detect illegal handling. Reforms to the waste carriers, brokers, and dealers regime will further tighten regulations from 2027, requiring stricter compliance and permitting systems to prevent exploitation by criminal gangs.
Recent enforcement actions include investigations into major illegal dumping sites in Bradford, Leicestershire, and Derbyshire, where public reports triggered rapid responses. In Bradford, a site reported in July 2026 is undergoing cleanup, while in Leicestershire, a concealed illegal dump containing 30,000 tonnes of waste led to an arrest. At a site in Wingerworth, officers intervened to halt further dumping and launched a criminal investigation after discovering 100 tonnes of household waste.