Four arrested over large-scale illegal waste dumping at Wigan site
Four men from Wigan, Leeds and Liverpool have been arrested on suspicion of environmental, fraud and money laundering offences
Last updated 4th Aug 2026
Four men have been arrested as part of an investigation into large-scale illegal waste dumping at a site in Wigan.
The Environment Agency says the Bolton House Road waste site has "caused misery" for local residents, with the Prime Minister Andy Burnham describing it as "an ocean of rubbish piled up."
Residents have reported 'horrid smells' coming from the site, while a week-long fire last summer forced nearby schools to close.
The arrested men, aged 24, 35, 41 and 59, are from Leeds, Wigan and Liverpool, and were arrested on suspicion of environmental, fraud and money laundering offences.
One of the men arrested, a 24-year-old man from Leeds, was also arrested as part of an investigation into waste dumping at Cave’s Inn Pits in Leicestershire.
The Environment Agency says around 30,000 tonnes of shredded waste was dumped there.
Investigations into both sites are ongoing.
A previous arrest was also made in May, when a 58-year-old man from the Birmingham area was arrested in connection with the Bolton House Road investigation.
The Environment Agency says it's working with Wigan Council to arrange the clean-up of the Bolton House Road site.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham responds
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:
"I have stood on Bolton House Road and seen what local people have had to live with. It is shocking – an ocean of rubbish piled up next to a primary school, and families unable to escape the smell in their own homes.
"This is not fly tipping. This is organised crime, and it is local communities that are paying the price.
"For too long, this issue has been ignored. But not on my watch. Today’s action by the Environment Agency and the police is just the start of our plans. The days of making easy money from waste are over."