Crime link forces action on dumpers

Illegal waste operators who pollute the environment are being targeted by a new joint initiative.

Crimestoppers has teamed up with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) to encourage members of the public who have information about law-breaking waste operators to contact them anonymously.

Sepa said it was undertaking "specific intelligence-led work" to target illegal waste activities, working with law enforcement partners, local authorities and industry to identify high-risk sites and culprits.

Any business in Scotland which transports, treats or disposes of any type of waste must have a waste permit, or be registered with Sepa.

Calum MacDonald, Sepa director of operations, said: "I am delighted that Sepa has joined forces with Crimestoppers to help us deal with the growing environmental harm caused by environmental crime.

"Operations such as illegal waste sites operate with an unfair commercial advantage over legitimate operators and can lead to serious environmental damage.

"Also, the increasing costs of waste disposal means that environmental crime can be extremely profitable. There are recognised links between environmental crime and serious organised crime groups."