Four men arrested after alleged waste dumping at Wigan site

The arrests relate to activity at the Bolton House Road site in Wigan, which has long been a source of complaints from residents about foul odours.

The four individuals arrested include a 41-year-old and a 35-year-old from Wigan, a 24-year-old from Leeds, and a 59-year-old from Liverpool.

The man from Leeds was also arrested in connection with waste dumping at the Cave’s Inn Pits Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) near Shawell in Leicestershire.

Residents have long complained about foul odours coming from the site (Image: Supplied)

Last year, a fire at the site forced the closure of nearby schools.

The incident took a week to bring under control, highlighting the serious risks posed by the illegal waste operations.

Sue Longstone, director of operations for the North at the Environment Agency, said: “The illegal dumping at Bolton House Road and Cave’s Inn Pits are atrocious attacks on our communities, and we share the public’s utter disgust at these horrendous crimes.

“Our teams have been working relentlessly on these investigations, and our arrests are a vital step in collecting new evidence and progressing it further.”

The Environment Agency announced the arrests as part of an ongoing investigation, supported by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and police forces from Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and West Yorkshire.

The investigation is part of wider efforts to tackle organised waste crime.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the impact of the crimes as “shocking” and commended the joint action taken by the Environment Agency and police.

Mr Burnham said: “I have stood on Bolton House Road and seen what local people have had to live with.

“It is shocking – an ocean of rubbish piled up next to a primary school, and families unable to escape the smell in their own homes.”

He said the arrests represent the beginning of tougher action against waste crime gangs.

Mr Burnham said: “This is not fly tipping.

“This is organised crime, and it is local communities that are paying the price.

“For too long, this issue has been ignored. But not on my watch.

“Today’s action by the Environment Agency and the police is just the start of our plans.

“The days of making easy money from waste are over.”

The government has pledged to fully fund the clean-up of the Wigan site and is working with the council to recruit a specialist contractor for the job.

To prevent further illegal dumping, Wigan Council has installed concrete blocks at the entrance to the site.

Any information can be reported to the Environment Agency via its 24-hour incident hotline at 0800 807060 or anonymously via Crimestoppers.