Rushcliffe – The Environment Agency is appealing for information on a series of incidents involving the dumping of trailers packed with shredded or baled waste.
The incidents, which have occurred over the last few weeks, have all taken place in the Derby and Nottingham areas.
There have been two incidents on the northbound A453 near Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station in Rushcliffe.
There have also been four incidents which have taken place on the A50 near HMP Foston, and one between Sudbury and Doveridge, south-west of Derby.
Two others have occurred on opposite carriageways on the A38, north of Burton-upon-Trent, and one on the southbound carriageway of the A38 at Stretton, Burton-upon-Trent.
The trailers have been dumped in laybys on busy dual carriageways.
Some of the trailers contain loose shredded waste, while others contain baled waste. Some have also had their tops cut off to make them easier to fill.
Each trailer can hold about 100 cubic metres, or 24 tonnes, of waste. The trailers vary in design and include old refrigerated units and rigid ambient units.
Further afield, though possibly linked to the Derby-Nottingham incidents, a trailer containing baled waste was dumped in a layby on the westbound A6 at Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, in early October.
Around the end of October, a refrigerated trailer containing waste was also dumped in a layby on the southbound A38 London Road at Weeford, Lichfield, in Staffordshire.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:
“This kind of waste crime is a blight on our communities, the environment, and is costly to the taxpayer, who foots the bill to dispose of the trailers and the waste.
“At present, the origin of the waste is unknown, and the Environment Agency is investigating to identify the site or sites and those responsible.
“The incidents could well be linked and orchestrated by an organised crime group.
“Anyone with information is urged to contact our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60, or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
“If you see waste trailers in the act of being dumped, report this immediately to the police on 999.”
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