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The Environment Agency is launching an upgraded 33-strong fleet of drones to fight fly tippers.<\/p>\n
The drones will carry laser mapping technology to capture evidence to help secure successful prosecutions of waste criminals.<\/p>\n
The agency has also developed a new screening tool that enables officers to scan and cross-check lorry licence applications against waste permit records \u2013 with suspect operators flagged before they have a chance to move waste illegally.<\/p>\n
The new capabilities are backed by a reinforced Joint Unit for Waste\u00a0Crime\u00a0\u2013 now a 20-strong\u00a0group\u00a0of specialists\u00a0working closely with law\u00a0enforcement partners to dismantle\u00a0organised criminal networks.<\/p>\n
Phil Davies, Head of the Joint Unit for Waste Crime Unit said: \u201cIllegal waste dumping is appalling, and we are determined to turn the tide on this heinous crime.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith organised criminals becoming ever more sophisticated, we are adopting new technologies to find and, importantly, stop them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough the greater use of drones, stronger partnerships and more officers on the ground, we will build on our action so far and send a clear message to those committing waste crimes \u2013 we will stop you.\u201d<\/p>\n