SEPA and Crimestoppers partnership
SEPA has teamed up with the independent charity Crimestoppers to
target illegal waste operators – some of whom could be operating in
your area. If you have any information regarding illegal waste
operators you can contact SEPA
directly, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their
anonymous
online reporting form.
Waste, especially hazardous waste, has the
potential to cause serious harm to the environment, wildlife and
human health. A number of illegal waste operators have set up
across Scotland, operating without the proper licenses, procedures
and equipment in place. These type of illegal operations
include:
- illegal landfill sites;
- unlicensed skip hire operators;
- large scale and persistent dumping of waste;
- unlawful collection, storage and breaking of scrap cars;
- unauthorised collection, storage and export of waste electrical
and electronic equipment.
Waste crime costs tax payers millions of
pounds each year to investigate and clean up, and it also
undermines legitimate waste businesses, who are often undercut by
these operators. Serious organised crime groups are also moving
into the waste business, using sites as a front for more serious
forms of crime, such as money laundering and drug trafficking.
Working in partnership with organisations such
as Crimestoppers will enable us to obtain intelligence surrounding
incidents of serious environmental crime activity by encouraging
members of the public and those working within respective industry
sectors to call Crimestoppers with information if they have
concerns about giving information directly to us.