First Waste Crime Conference in Liverpool City Region
The inaugural Waste Crime Conference in the Liverpool City Region took place on Friday, 16 October, bringing together a variety of agencies committed to addressing environmental crime in Merseyside and Halton. This collaborative effort aims to enhance shared intelligence and resources, with a focus on preventing waste crime and disrupting the criminal networks involved.
Organised by the Environment Agency in conjunction with the Merseyside Police & Crime Commissioner, the event sought to bolster the joint fight against illegal waste activities. Hosted by Halton Borough Council, the conference gathered representatives from numerous organisations dedicated to tackling environmental crime in the region, including the Environment Agency, Merseyside Police, the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, the six local councils within the Liverpool City Region, Defra, UKHSA, and the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service.
Strengthening Collaborative Efforts
The conference served as a platform for authorities across Merseyside to enhance their collective response to waste crime. Partners committed to closer collaboration, sharing intelligence and coordinating their actions to prevent illegal waste operations while safeguarding both communities and the environment.
In alignment with the Prime Minister’s initiative to combat waste crime, the government and the Environment Agency are uniting their efforts to ensure that serious organised criminal gangs cannot evade justice. This initiative is supported by an additional £45 million in funding over the next three years, complementing an earlier £5.6 million increase for the current financial year. This funding aims to bolster enforcement activities, ensuring that those who engage in waste criminality are held accountable for their actions.
The Economic Impact of Waste Crime
Ian Crewe, Area Director of the Environment Agency for Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and Cheshire, remarked on the significant toll that waste crime takes on communities, the environment, and legitimate businesses. He highlighted that waste crime costs the English economy over £1 billion annually, with an estimated 20% of all waste being managed illegally.
Crewe emphasised the importance of a collective approach, stating, “This is not a problem that any single agency can resolve. By sharing intelligence and resources, we can help prevent waste crime and disrupt the criminal networks behind it.”
Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell echoed these sentiments, noting the profound impact of waste crime on local communities. She expressed her enthusiasm for supporting the inaugural conference, recognising that one of Merseyside’s greatest strengths lies in the ability to collaborate effectively. Spurrell underscored the necessity of bringing partners together to share expertise, intelligence, and best practices to combat criminal activities and protect communities.
A Multi-Agency Approach to Combat Waste Criminality
James Cruddas, Deputy Director of Waste and Recycling at Defra, highlighted that addressing waste crime requires a concerted effort from multiple agencies. He stressed the importance of combining a clear national strategy with effective local implementation, ensuring that all partners possess the necessary tools, intelligence, and authority to tackle criminality in the waste sector. Cruddas expressed his satisfaction at collaborating with Merseyside colleagues to work towards environmental protection and support for legitimate businesses.
Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Rob Budden from Merseyside Police pointed out that waste crime is not a victimless offence. It adversely affects communities, harms the environment, incurs significant costs for taxpayers, and is often linked to broader organised criminal activities. He reiterated the commitment to work closely with partners, sharing intelligence and coordinating enforcement to identify offenders, disrupt criminal networks, and ensure accountability.
Ongoing Efforts and Future Strategies
In December 2025, the Environment Agency took decisive action by closing down an illegal waste site in Knowsley, Merseyside, thereby restricting access to the location. The agency continues to leverage its powers to manage the site while an investigation is conducted, collaborating with Knowsley Council, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, and UKHSA.
Additionally, a new Waste Crime Crackdown Group, chaired by Environment Secretary Angela Eagle, aims to unite regulators and law enforcement agencies to dismantle criminal operations and achieve tangible outcomes. Plans for the increased use of drones, a more prominent role for Mayors and police, and a significant rise in fines are expected to deter and penalise illegal dumping activities.
These initiatives build upon the government’s Waste Crime Action Plan, which establishes a zero-tolerance policy, incorporating measures to enhance prevention, reinforce enforcement, and remediate the most egregious illegal waste sites.