Environment Agency deploys advanced tech to tackle rising waste crime
Drones and new tools enhance surveillance and investigative capabilities
The Environment Agency (EA) has unveiled a suite of new surveillance and investigative tools aimed at combating waste crime, a growing concern in the UK.
Announced on 20th February 2026, the initiative includes the deployment of a 33-strong squad of drones, equipped with advanced technology to track illegal waste dumps from the air.
In recent months, large-scale illegal tips have been publicly identified in Cheshire, Cornwall, Kent, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Lancashire.
Some of these drones are being upgraded with laser mapping capabilities, which will aid in securing successful prosecutions by providing detailed evidence of waste activities.
Alongside the drones, the EA has developed a screening tool that allows officers to cross-reference lorry licence applications with waste permit records, flagging suspicious operators before illegal waste movement occurs.
Reinforcement of the Joint Unit for Waste Crime has also been announced, expanding the group to 20 specialists who will work closely with law enforcement partners to dismantle organised criminal networks.
The Environment Agency has had a record year of waste enforcement, shutting down 751 illegal waste sites.
Phil Davies, Head of the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, highlighted the importance of adopting new technologies to thwart sophisticated waste criminals.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds stressed the government’s commitment to tackling this issue, noting a budget increase for the EA’s enforcement efforts, now at £15.6 million.
Drones equipped with Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology will further enhance the agency's capabilities, enabling precise mapping of waste sites.
The EA has already trialled the screening tool successfully in East Anglia, leading to the timely intervention in a waste company’s operations.
The Joint Unit for Waste Crime has grown from 13 to 20 specialists, including ex-police officers, enhancing collaboration with police forces and the National Crime Agency.
This comprehensive approach aims to disrupt serious waste crime and bolster enforcement actions.