Crimestoppers calls to fight against North West waste crime

New research from Crimestoppers suggests the problem is both widespread and deeply felt.

Crimestoppers is now urging the public to speak up anonymously through a new national reporting campaign.

Recent research has found that more than half of people in the North West say that waste crime negatively affects quality of life in their local community (Image: Crimestoppers)

Kate Johnston from Crimestoppers 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."

More than half of North West residents (56 per cent) told researchers waste crime has a negative effect on their quality of life.

Half said they had seen fly-tipped waste in their neighbourhood over the past year.

Nearly half (46 per cent) said waste crime makes their area feel unsafe, 58 per cent cited environmental concerns and 54 per cent believe it erodes community pride.

Crimestoppers has teamed up with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Environment Agency to launch a national awareness campaign.

Philip Duffy, chief executive of the Environment Agency, 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."

The campaign highlights the importance of public information in targeting offenders and preventing further environmental harm.

Waste minister Mary Creagh MP 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."

Crimestoppers says it offers a safe and anonymous way for people to share information about suspected offenders without fear of reprisal.