A government agency in the UK has said it will be stepping up its use of drone technology in tackling illegal waste dumping in the country.
Last Friday, the Environment Agency, which holds the responsibility for investigating waste crime, has said it has introduced a new 33-strong drone team to supplement the illegal waste dump fight.
This is in addition to agency’s joint investigations unit, which has also been increased to twenty specialists.
Some drones will be equipped with light detection and ranging (lidar) technology, which can create highly detailed maps of illegal waste sites.
“With organised criminals becoming ever more sophisticated, we are adopting new technologies to find and, importantly, stop them,” said Phil Davies, the head of the joint unit for waste crime.
“Through the greater use of drones, stronger partnerships and more officers on the ground, we will build on our action so far and send a clear message to those committing waste crimes - we will stop you.”
The improvements to the investigation of illegal waste dumping – which costs the UK economy £1bn a year – come as the ringleader of a major waste crime gang was ordered to pay £1.4m after being convicted at Birmingham crown court.
The courts judged that 36-year-old Londoner Varun Datta was responsible for the organised illegal dumping of mostly municipal waste at a network of sixteen sites across the country, including at a historic manor house and a nature reserve in Lancashire.
The EA secured a major victory against Datta when he was convicted last week after pleading guilty to knowingly causing controlled waste to be deposited at 16 sites. The weight of the waste totalled about 4,275 tonnes, and the illegal dumps were spread across Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Lancashire, Kent, Surrey, Rutland and Middlesbrough.
Described as a “prolific waste criminal”, Datta was given a four-month jail sentence, conditionally suspended for eighteen months, and ordered to pay £1.1m, reflecting the financial benefit from his crimes, plus £100,000 in compensation and £200,000 in prosecution costs.
Datta was convicted along with two other men. Two further suspects are still being hunted.