Calls for action grow over illegal waste dumps in Kent
House of Lords highlights concerns over 'new narcotics' of waste crime and failures by authorities
A recent House of Lords report has called for urgent action to tackle serious and organised waste crime, described by some as the "new narcotics" due to its links to wider criminal activities like drugs and human trafficking.
The multi-agency letter, published on 28th October 2025, is urging the Government to launch an independent review into failures by the Environment Agency, policing bodies, and the Joint Unit for Waste Crime (JUWC).
The appeal follows a short inquiry revealing the dire state of waste crime management across regions, including Kent, where high-profile cases such as the Hoad’s Wood illegal waste dump have raised public alarm.
Hoad’s Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Kent, was found buried beneath 30,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste, including hazardous materials in March 2025.
The clean-up operation has been estimated to cost the taxpayer at least £15 million and is expected to take 18 months.
Pointing to the environmental and economic damage caused, Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott has backed calls for both an independent review and a public inquiry into how such activities were allowed to continue unchecked for so long.
He tells Greatest Hits and Hits Radio: “The level of criminality at Hoad’s Wood has impacted not only the environment but also wildlife and habitats".
Scott added “it has been described as nothing short of an environmental disaster”.
Organised criminal networks behind illegal waste sites in Kent
According to Commissioner Scott, criminal gangs often set up illegal waste sites by exploiting gaps in regulations and enforcement.
These operations can involve hundreds of tonnes of waste, including materials transported from other regions like Scotland and Wales, with criminals profiting millions of pounds by evading legal disposal costs.
“We know these individuals are also involved in other types of crime, including drugs and money laundering. This issue needs a co-ordinated national approach to finally crack down on organised waste crime,” Scott said.
The House of Lords report lends weight to his concerns, labelling this growing issue as a gateway crime that not only damages the environment but burdens tax-payers through significant clean-up costs.
Flaws in current waste crime regulations
The Lords Committee criticised the Environment Agency’s slow enforcement and repeated failure to coordinate responsibilities with police and local councils.
The report highlighted significant gaps in intelligence sharing among agencies, leaving communities trapped in a confusing cycle of reporting incidents without seeing meaningful action.
The Lords recommend an overhaul of the system, including the creation of:
- A single telephone number and online portal to report waste crime
- Interim national waste crime targets and better monitoring metrics
- Better collaboration between the JUWC, police forces, local councils, and other stakeholders to ensure an efficient response to incidents and improved intelligence-sharing
- Support for introducing a mandatory digital waste tracking system by 2026 to close gaps in the waste management supply chain
Environmental toll and economic impact
The illegal disposal of waste has devastating consequences. In addition to environmental damage, the issue costs England’s economy approximately £1 billion each year.
Wildlife habitats, such as those at Kent’s Hoad’s Wood, have been destroyed by indiscriminate dumping that includes hazardous materials like asbestos.
The social and economic costs of these actions, highlighted by public health concerns, increased law enforcement efforts, and taxpayer-funded clean-ups, have fuelled calls for urgent reform.
Government promises action
In response to the report, a Defra spokesperson stated that the Government is committed to cracking down on waste crime.
"We are tightening the net on gangs exploiting our waste system by helping councils to crush fly-tippers’ vans, funding more Environment Agency enforcement officers, and imposing tougher sentences for those who transport waste illegally.
"We will carefully consider the recommendations of this report and will respond in due course."
The Environment Agency has also acknowledged the report, emphasising its commitment to tackling waste crime.
For individuals in Kent, spotting unusual behaviours such as frequent visits by heavy-goods vehicles and significant changes in the movement of large amounts of waste could be key in aiding authorities.
Residents are urged to report any suspicious activity via the Environment Agency anonymous helpline.