POLICE and the Environment Agency are investigating potential offences after they raided an ’unpermitted’ waste site in Coleford

Officers from Gloucestershire Police and the Environment Agency made an unannounced visit yesterday (Tuesday) as part of an operation to tackle illegal waste activities.

Among the activities being investigated are vehicle dismantling, fraud and stolen vehicles.”

Evidence collected included photographs and paperwork and this will be examined further by officers.

Acting Inspector Paul Simmons of Gloucestershire Police said: “Police are assisting with enquiries into any suspected stolen vehicles and also any theft and fraud offences.

“Local officers from Coleford Police Station were on standby to allow the Environment Agency to undertake their enquiries and to prevent any breach of the peace.”

Permits are necessary to ensure that activities at such sites do not pose a risk to the environment or harm to people, and that there is a level playing field for all operators.

The Environment Agency lead investigating officer in the case, said:  “We seek to gather information from partner enforcement agencies and use this and other intelligence to actively target the operators of illegal waste sites.

“We can then use this information to close sites and prosecute criminals who flout the law, disregarding our environment and blight communities”

“Illegal sites generally do not benefit from the infrastructure required to prevent harmful materials entering rivers or ground waters, and consequently can have significant adverse impact on the local area.

“Illegal activities impact on the local community and deprive local businesses of the opportunity to dispose of this waste lawfully.

“Homeowners and businesses have a duty of care to ensure their waste is being disposed of by a legitimate company and being taken to a site that is authorised to take such waste.”

People can check if a person or company is authorised to take waste by checking the Environment Agency’s online public register.

If people have information about illegal waste activity they can contact the 24 hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.