x2 Arrested at Talke - Joint investigation launched after 20 tonnes of waste fly-tipped

Officers and partners are investigating after 20 tonnes of waste was fly-tipped at an industrial estate, close to a residential area, in Talke recently.

The waste was deposited by a HGV which arrived at Imperial Works, Coalpit Hill, on Wednesday (29 October).

Officers identified the vehicle as stolen and two days later (Friday 31 October), it was spotted in the area again. It was in the process of depositing a further 20 tonnes of waste, when it was stopped.

We attended the scene and two people were arrested in the area a short time later.

A 43-year-old man, of Kent, was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and causing the deposition, without an environmental permit, of controlled waste on land. He has been placed on police bail while our inquiries continue.

A 19-year-old woman, of no-fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of causing the deposition, without an environmental permit, of controlled waste on land. She has since been released with no further action to be taken.

Officers continue to work with the Environment Agency, Newcastle Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council as our inquiries continue.

Inspector Joel Hurst, of Newcastle local policing team, said: “This was a brazen flouting of the law which protects our environment from the harm that fly-tipping causes to our local communities.

“We are committed to doing all we can to prevent the illegal depositing of waste, working with our partners and the local community to protect them from the impact of fly-tipping.”

Neil Burgess, environmental crime team leader at the Environment Agency, said: “Environmental permits are in place to protect the public and environment and illegal waste dumping such as this impacts on local communities.

“We are determined to tackle waste crime that is blighting our communities and will continue to work with our partners to take action against those suspected of being involved.”

David Hutchison, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council's cabinet member for sustainable environment, said: “We have been aware of the situation at a private commercial property in Talke, and it’s pleasing to see good cooperation over the issue between the different agencies involved.”