Waste crime 'damages quality of life', Crimestoppers reveals
64% of people in the South West said that waste crime negatively impacts the quality of life in their local area
Research from charity Crimestoppers shows that communities across the South West feel the effects of waste crime more than any other region in the UK.
According to a survey conducted by YouGov, commissioned by Crimestoppers, 64% of people in the South West said that waste crime negatively impacts the quality of life in their local area.
More than half of respondents reported witnessing fly-tipped waste in the past year.
Impact on the community
The survey identified that waste crime is also perceived to contribute to making communities feel unsafe, with 58% of participants in the South West expressing this concern.
Moreover, 60% associated waste crime with environmental damage, and 56% believed it led to a decline in local pride and community spirit.
National campaign
Crimestoppers has teamed up with Defra and the Environment Agency to launch a national campaign encouraging the public to report waste crime anonymously.
The charity has been emphasising how 'waste crime is not a harmless crime’ and is often linked to organised gangs profiting at the community's expense.
The campaign aims to provide a safe way for people to report those responsible for illegal dumping and waste crimes, ultimately aiming to safeguard local environments.
Kate Johnston, from the charity, said: “Waste crime is not a harmless crime. It is often driven by organised crime gangs making huge profits at the expense of our communities and environment.
“The fact that so many people are seeing this in their local area shows just how widespread the issue has become.
“We know that people may feel unsure about reporting what they’ve seen or worry about repercussions. That’s why our charity exists. We give people a safe anonymous way to speak up about those people harming our environment. The information we pass on could help stop the waste criminals and prevent large-scale waste dumping before it happens.”
Government and Environment Agency support
Waste Minister Mary Creagh highlighted the issue, referencing Crimestoppers' research showing the large extent of the problem across England.
Creagh said: "Waste crime blights our towns, cities and countryside. New research from Crimestoppers shows the scale of the problem, with nearly two-thirds of people in England witnessing it in the past year.
"This campaign, part of this government’s Waste Crime Action Plan, is clear: if you see waste crime, report it and help us crack down on the waste criminals. Working together, we can protect each other and clean up Britain."
The government’s Waste Crime Action Plan is focused on urging the public to report waste crime, enabling action against offenders.
Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, noted the profit-driven motives of waste criminals and the necessity of public intelligence in combatting them.
He said: “Waste criminals are motivated by profit, with little regard for the impact their actions have on local communities and the environment.
“Our 10-point plan to tackle waste crime is strengthening enforcement, disrupting criminal activity and supporting legitimate operators, but intelligence from the public remains vital.
“We have seen how members of the public often have valuable information about suspicious activity but feel unable to come forward. Through our Crimestoppers campaign, people can report concerns completely anonymously, helping us gather intelligence that will bring offenders to justice.”
The Environment Agency’s 10-point plan is designed to reinforce enforcement measures and support legitimate waste operators, with anonymous public reports being a crucial component.