Environment Agency makes ten hazardous waste related arrests

Ten individuals have been arrested for the illegal dumping of potentially dangerous hazardous waste.

The arrests have been made after the Environment Agency attempted to seriously crack down on the growing problem of the discarding of hazardous waste.

This is the largest ever waste raid in the UK.

A 60-strong team represented the Environment Agency on the series of raids. They were backed by Avon and Somerset Police who were also involved in an investigation into alleged toxic waste offences by an Avonmouth-based company.

In addition, The Health Protection Agency has been closely involved in the investigation because of the severity of the waste dumped.

It included asbestos and heavy metals which have the potential to be a huge threat to individuals in the area.

As the fibres of asbestos are so small, they can enter the alveoli of the lungs which can result in enzymes leaking into the lung causing fibrosis of the lung. The consequences of this are a slow and painful death of which there is no current cure.

What will happen to the ten arrested is not yet clear, although the Environment Agency do warn that they take hazardous waste dumping very seriously.

"The Environment Agency targets gravely negligent organisations and organised criminals who risk damaging health, livelihoods and the environment," said Andy Higham, head of the EA's national environment crime teams.

The Health Protection Agency will continue their involvement in the project, assessing any potential risk to public health caused by the illegal removal of the waste, the Environment Agency has said.

Raids were held in the early morning, where the police hoped to use the element of surprise to arrest unsuspecting targets.

Identities of the ten arrested has not yet been revealed, however they have currently been released on bail. Investigations will continue until January when the case will be brought to court.

Both the Health Protection Agency and Environment Agency have assured inhabitants of Avon and Somerset that they take threats like this very seriously.

Posted by Lauren Steadman