Essex Police arrested two men on 6 February 2026 after a 999 call reported suspected illegal waste on private land at Stapleford Tawney, near Romford, close to the M25/M11 junction. The Environment Agency (EA) is leading the investigation following the on‑site seizure of a lorry loaded with construction and demolition waste. (gov.uk)
Officers detained a 55‑year‑old man from Horley, Surrey, and a 25‑year‑old man from Mullaghbawn, County Armagh. Both were questioned on behalf of the EA, then released on bail with conditions not to contact each other, not to transport waste, and not to be in any vehicle involved in waste management. They are due to return to Harlow police station on 26 February 2026. (gov.uk)
The use of pre‑charge bail with conditions is intended to be necessary and proportionate, including preventing further suspected offending and protecting potential witnesses. Current guidance under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, as amended by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, sets out the framework and time periods for pre‑charge bail. (gov.uk)
According to the EA, this site has been under investigation since February 2025. The arrests form part of a wider enforcement push that has included recent joint operations in Greater Manchester and Merseyside targeting large‑scale waste crime, fraud and suspected money laundering. (gov.uk)
Multi‑agency coordination is central to these operations. The EA‑hosted Joint Unit for Waste Crime (JUWC) reports extensive joint activity, including hundreds of multi‑agency days of action and arrests supported by partner agencies by September 2025, reflecting a strengthened operational posture against organised waste crime. (gov.uk)
The JUWC is a UK‑wide taskforce comprised of 11 enforcement organisations and 2 industry partners, operating to the ‘4P’ model of prepare, prevent, protect and pursue. Its 2024/25 end‑year report details coordinated operations, training and disruption activity across the sector. (gov.uk)
Enforcement outcomes continue to scale. Since 2020, almost 200 people have been arrested in JUWC‑related investigations, while in 2024/25 the EA stopped activity at 743 illegal waste sites, including 143 classed as high risk-figures that underscore a sustained compliance and disruption drive. (gov.uk)
The legal framework is clear. Unpermitted deposit, treatment, keeping or disposal of controlled waste is an offence under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and operating a regulated waste facility without (or outside) a permit is an offence under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. (gov.uk)
EA guidance confirms that businesses using, treating, storing or disposing of waste generally require a permit or valid exemption; operating without one is unlawful. These requirements, alongside duty‑of‑care obligations, are foundational to lawful waste management and underpin recent enforcement activity. (gov.uk)
The EA has asked anyone with information to contact its 24‑hour incident hotline on 0800 807060 or report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. The investigation into the Romford‑area site remains ongoing following the arrests and seizure. (gov.uk)