Cumberland Council led a waste crime disruption operation with Cumbria Constabulary and the DVSA in response to rising national concern over illegal waste activity.
Waste crime has become an increasing problem across the UK and was being debated more frequently at a national level. During the 2025/26 financial year, waste crime was estimated to have cost local authorities approximately £19.3 million. In the same reporting period, more than 52,000 incidents were recorded nationally, representing an 11 per cent increase compared with the previous year.
Locally, Cumberland Council has received a significant number of complaints and intelligence reports relating to waste movements and associated criminal activity. These issues pose serious environmental, financial and community risks, including fly‑tipping, public safety concerns and unfair competition for legitimate businesses.
In response, Cumberland Council worked closely with Cumbria Constabulary and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency on an intelligence‑led operation. Vehicles capable of carrying waste were targeted, with officers stopping and directing selected vehicles to a designated inspection area for further checks.
Vehicles and drivers brought into the inspection area underwent a range of checks, including:
- The type and condition of waste being transported
- Waste carrier registration and transfer documentation
- Driver licensing and compliance checks
- Vehicle safety inspections
- DVSA compliance checks
Commenting after the operation, Cumberland Councillor Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said:
“We have a zero‑tolerance approach to waste crime. Illegal waste activity damages our environment, undermines legitimate businesses and has a direct impact on our communities.
“This operation was about sending a clear message that waste crime will not be tolerated in Cumberland. We wanted people to know that we will work closely with our partners, act on intelligence and take robust action where the law is being broken.”
Sergeant David Styth of Cumbria Constabulary's Roads Policing Unit said:
“We are pleased to have been able to support this multi-agency operation and carry out vehicle checks.
“In Cumbria, our priority is to make our roads safer and operation such as this are an opportunity to engage with drivers as well as take dangerous vehicle off our roads.”
Marian Kitson, DVSA Director of Enforcement said:
“DVSA’s priority is to keep everyone protect from unsafe vehicles and drivers.
“We’re pleased to have worked in partnership on this multi-agency operation with Cumberland Council and Cumberland police, taking firm action against drivers and operators who ignore the law and their responsibilities.
“A co-ordinated approach helps us put a stop to non-compliance, issue prohibitions and fixed penalties, leading to possible prosecutions or vehicle impounding.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said:
“We live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world and we want to keep it that way.
“I’m really pleased to see the partnership work taking place to target illegal waste activity – working together is the best way to keep our communities safe.
“I’d urge those looking to commit waste crime to think twice: you will be caught. I’d also encourage the public to report any suspicious behaviour – by reporting you can help protect Cumbria’s nature and communities.”
The operation formed part of Cumberland Council’s wider commitment to tackling environmental crime, protecting communities and supporting legitimate waste operators.
Residents are encouraged to continue reporting suspected waste crime so intelligence could be used to support future enforcement activity. Report these issues via our website Street cleaning | Cumberland Council.