Defra said on 15 March 2026 that ministers plan to extend Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) powers to the Environment Agency, enabling earlier intervention against organised waste crime, subject to legislation. (gov.uk)
The step would place the Agency among a limited number of non‑police bodies with comparable investigatory and asset‑recovery tools. PACE sets investigatory rules and Codes of Practice, while POCA provides the framework for asset recovery and related orders. (gov.uk)
Government also signalled a new Waste Crime Action Plan spanning fly‑tipping through to large illegal sites, with any Bills introduced when parliamentary time allows. The announcement was led by Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds and Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones. (gov.uk)
Defra is exploring formal information‑sharing channels between enforcement bodies and banks and finance companies so lenders can reflect confirmed waste criminality in business‑risk decisions, subject to legal gateways and safeguards. (gov.uk)
Recent enforcement results were highlighted: from July 2024 to December 2025 the Environment Agency secured 122 prosecutions, including 10 immediate custodial sentences, and closed 1,205 illegal waste sites. Government estimates waste crime costs around £1 billion a year. (gov.uk)
Operational capacity is being consolidated through the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, which convenes police forces and the National Crime Agency. Government reports the unit is now a 20‑strong specialist group working closely with law‑enforcement partners. (gov.uk)
Ministers also flagged that forthcoming legislation would allow up to five years’ imprisonment for those transporting or dealing with waste illegally, signalling tougher penalties for higher‑harm offending once enacted. (gov.uk)
Policy Wire analysis: If designated under PACE, Environment Agency officers would work to Home Office Codes governing entry, search, seizure and interviewing under caution, supporting evidence‑led interventions without immediate police attendance. POCA designations would underpin asset‑focused action alongside criminal cases. (gov.uk)
Policy Wire analysis: For waste operators and local authorities, the practical effects are likely to include more unannounced visits, earlier document requests and faster escalation to financial disruption. Finance and compliance teams should anticipate deeper scrutiny where waste‑sector exposure intersects with onboarding or transaction monitoring.
Next steps: the Waste Crime Action Plan is expected shortly. Until Parliament legislates, current Environment Agency powers remain unchanged; operational guidance will need to follow any extension to ensure clear safeguards and accountability. (gov.uk)