West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has welcomed the Government’s decision to make the region one of the first in England to receive additional mayoral powers and resources to tackle illegal fly-tipping and organised waste crime.
Writing on X, the Labour mayor said:
“Delighted the PM has chosen West Yorkshire as one of the first regions to get extra mayoral powers and resources to tackle illegal fly tipping.
“If you think you can dump your waste in our community, think again.”
The move forms part of the Labour Government’s national crackdown on criminal gangs profiting from illegal waste.
West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester will become the first areas to introduce new region-led approaches to waste crime. Mayors and council leaders will coordinate the work of local authorities, police forces, regulators and other enforcement agencies.
The new arrangements are intended to ensure enforcement decisions are guided by regional intelligence and the experiences of communities most affected by illegal dumping.
Brabin said fly-tipping was “completely unacceptable”, warning that it scars streets and green spaces, attracts anti-social behaviour, damages pride in local areas and costs taxpayers millions of pounds every year.
The wider government package includes greater use of drones, an expanded role for the police and National Crime Agency and more Environment Agency officers working on the frontline.
Those who dump waste illegally or fail to handle it correctly could face fines of up to £5,000, compared with the current maximum of £300. More serious offences can already result in prosecution and imprisonment.
The Environment Agency will also strengthen its ability to trace and confiscate cash, vehicles, properties and other assets bought with the proceeds of waste crime.
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Dame Angela Eagle will chair a new Waste Crime Crackdown Group, bringing together regulators, law enforcement agencies and representatives of the waste industry.
The Government will also support the clearance of the illegal waste site at Midland Road in Bradford, subject to a feasibility assessment. It is one of three major sites selected for government-funded clean-up work.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the days of criminals making easy money from illegal waste were over, pledging to seize their assets and close their operations.
The measures form part of the Government’s wider effort to combine immediate clean-up work with stronger prevention, intelligence sharing and locally led enforcement.
