Liverpool waste crime: second arrest on 11 March 2026

A second arrest has been made in Liverpool’s ongoing waste crime investigation. A 45-year-old man was detained on Wednesday 11 March on suspicion of operating an illegal waste site in the south of the city. It follows a joint operation on Monday 2 February that led to a first arrest at the same suspected site and the seizure of a heavy goods vehicle; investigators have since seized an excavator. The Environment Agency published this update on 13 March 2026. (gov.uk)

Environment Agency officers say they are making progress and understand the strain on neighbours living with odours, noise and the risk of fires. Their message is simple: when evidence shows the law has been broken, those responsible will face legal consequences-and information from the public often provides the key lead. (gov.uk)

Here’s how the pieces fit together so you can follow the story with confidence. The Environment Agency leads on environmental law and waste permits in England. The Joint Unit for Waste Crime (JUWC), hosted by the Agency and formed in 2020, brings in specialists and partners such as police forces, the National Crime Agency and HMRC to target organised offenders. Merseyside Police support with warrants, scene safety and arrests during operations. (gov.uk)

New tools are now in play. After measures announced on 20 February, the Agency has expanded a 33-strong drone team to spot illegal dumps from the air, including upgrades for laser mapping. The JUWC has been reinforced to 20 specialists. Officials say last year was a record for enforcement, with 751 illegal waste sites shut down. (gov.uk)

What actually counts as waste crime? Think of activity that cuts corners for profit and shifts harm onto neighbours: running a waste site without the right permit, large‑scale dumping that blights land and water, or moving waste without proper registration. Fires, buried waste and abandoned asbestos can all put health and habitats at risk.

If you see lorries tipping waste where they shouldn’t, strong odours from a new site, or smoke from waste burning, don’t put yourself in harm’s way. Note the time, place and anything identifiable such as vehicle details, then report it 24/7 to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. (gov.uk)

When hiring a skip or a ‘man with a van’, protect yourself. Ask for the waste carrier’s registration number and check it on the Environment Agency’s public register, make sure you’re told exactly where the waste is going, and keep the paperwork. If a deal looks unusually cheap, your waste could be dumped and traced back to you.

For classrooms and youth groups, this case is a live example of how environmental crime works. Illegal operators avoid disposal costs; residents and taxpayers pay for the clean‑up; and legitimate recycling firms lose business. Use this story to spark a discussion about fairness, enforcement and the choices we all make when we buy services.

Remember: an arrest is not a charge or a conviction. The investigation remains active, led by the Environment Agency with support from JUWC and Merseyside Police. Further updates will come via official statements. (gov.uk)

Big picture: with more officers, better data tools and aerial mapping, illegal sites are harder to hide. But your reports still matter. Sharing what you see helps investigators build evidence faster and stop the damage sooner-so keep the hotline handy and pass it on. (gov.uk)