Organised crime linked to Midlands lay

Criminal gangs could be behind a spate of illegal waste dumps in or near Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire, officials have said.

Ten containers have been found filled with tonnes of shredded or baled waste in recent weeks.

Most have been left in lay-bys on dual carriageways, such as the A50 near HMP Foston, the A453 near Ratcliffe-on-Soar and the A38 near Burton-upon-Trent.

The Environment Agency said it felt the level of organisation and resources involved made it unlikely it was the work of one or two individuals.

Each trailer can hold about 100 cubic metres, or 24 tonnes of waste, the agency said.

Some of the containers had their tops cut off to make them easier to fill, it added.

Four incidents occurred on the A50 near HMP Foston, and one between Sudbury and Doveridge, south west of Derby.

Two others 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.

There have also been two occurrences on the northbound A453 near Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station, south of Nottingham.

And a trailer of baled waste was dumped in a lay-by on the A6 at Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, in early October, which is also thought to be linked to the other incidents.

Meanwhile, a refrigerated trailer containing waste was found in a lay-by on the A38 London Road at Weeford, Lichfield, in Staffordshire.

A spokesperson for the 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 be orchestrated by an organised crime group."