Landowners are being warned to make sure they “don’t get dumped on” after incidents of criminals offering cash to “store” waste on their property.
The warning has come from Lincolnshire Police, who said there have been reports of gangs offering cash to store the waste, saying they will come back to collect it later but then failing to do so.
This can lead to contamination of the land and the landowner may end up having to foot the bill for the proper disposal of the waste.
Landowners may also be committing an offence by allowing waste to be stored on their land without the relevant permissions, which could leave them liable to prosecution.
A spokesman said: “If you are approached to store waste for someone else, or suspect that this is occurring in your area contact the Environment Agency immediately.”
The Environment Agency Incident Hotline number is 0800 807060, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
Waste crime is a serious offence with tough penalties. It can damage the environment and blight communities.
For more information on waste crime visit the website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wastecrime