ENFORCERS have joined forces to enter a suspected illegal waste site.

The Environment Agency worked with officers from Essex Police, Essex County Council planning enforcement and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service to enter the site in the Bradwell Wick area.

Services found mainly construction and demolition waste such as soil, concrete and rubble, as well as a small amount of household waste. 

The raid, which took place at the end of June, was codenamed Operation Nutmeg and followed on from an earlier visit at the start of June. 

Police, fire and crime commissioner Roger Hirst said: “Illegal waste disposal is damaging to the environment, but also has significant social and economic impacts.

“It is not acceptable and we are working hard in Essex to tackle offending and stop it happening in the first place.

“We welcome activity such as Operation Nutmeg which helps to tackle this activity and send a clear message to offenders.

“We encourage all residents and businesses in Essex to be vigilant when disposing of waste, to make sure they understand their duty of care and to always check for a waste carrier licence when someone is disposing of things on their behalf.” 

Environment Agency enforcement team leader Lesley Robertson said: “Waste crime undermines legitimate business, can cause harm to the environment and misery for local people.

“Despite the coronavirus pandemic, we are continuing to work with our enforcement partners to disrupt illegal waste activities and remain committed to the closure of illegal waste sites, whilst always adhering to social distancing measures.

“We urge anyone with information about waste crime to contact our hotline on 0800 807060 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.”

County Hall economic growth boss Tony Ball added: “As the waste planning authority we will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those who breach planning regulations.

“The success of this Operation shows what effective partnership working between ourselves and the Environment Agency can achieve.”