Illegal Waste: Organised Crime

Bobby Dean Excerpts
Monday 17th November 2025

(1 day, 11 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Emma Hardy Portrait Emma Hardy
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The Environment Agency is able to authorise mobile communications data and has the authority to use covert human intelligence sources, but if there is more that can be done, I urge my hon. Friend to write to the nature Minister with further details, and maybe even request a meeting with her.

Bobby Dean Portrait Bobby Dean (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)
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Residents in the Woodcote area of my constituency have been living with the misery of being opposite an illegal waste dump for years. Despite all the photographic and video evidence that they produce, nobody seems to be able to shut the site down. Can the Minister look into what level of proof is required to take action, because it seems obvious to everyone that what is going on is wrong, but nobody seems to be able to put an end to it?

Emma Hardy Portrait Emma Hardy
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I urge the hon. Gentleman in the first instance to request a meeting with the local Environment Agency area director and to ask what further evidence is required to enable them to seek a prosecution. Of course, if he is not satisfied after having that meeting, he should write to the nature Minister.