33 Drones, Laser Mapping and New Software: The Crackdown on Waste Crime Just Escalated

The UK government has revealed a major technological escalation in its campaigns against unlawful waste crime by deploying an expanded fleet of drones, high-tech laser-mapping equipment, and a novel computer-based screening programme to deter offenders and enhance prosecutions.

The package, which is led by the Environment Agency (EA), seeks to identify and thwart criminal activities regarding waste management before they are even initiated.

Core to the new strategy is a 33-strong drone squad that would now focus on monitoring the locations of illegal waste from the air. Designated pilots will remotely capture aerial images of suspected dumping spots using the aircraft and focus efforts on concealed and inaccessible areas.

Some drones are being equipped with Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology, which is a laser-based mapping system that shoots millions of laser pulses a second to create a detailed, 3D ground map. This capability will assist officers in creating accurate visual records of illegal dumps to be used as evidence in court.

According to the figures from the Environment Agency, drones have already received widespread application in recent months: the aircraft have spent 272 hours on air since July last year, collecting intelligence about environmental offences.

New Digital Aids to Attack Suspects

In addition to aerial surveillance, the Environment Agency has designed advanced screening software that cross-checks lorry operators' license operations against the waste permit records maintained by the agency.

Through this digital system, officers will be able to flag potentially suspicious operators prior to them starting to transport waste illegally, closing a loophole that was long-exploited by organised criminals.

The change signals a broader shift toward data-driven enforcement, which involves the use of data to identify threats and enforce interventions with improved efficiency. The government claims that this technology will play a vital role in screening applications and catching criminals at the initial stage of their operations.

Empowering Specialist Enforcement Units

To supplement the technological implementation, the Joint Unit for Waste Crime has increased the number of its specialists by 13 to 20 experts, including former police officers and enforcement specialists. This team is in close co-operation with national and local law enforcement partners, such as police forces and the National Crime Agency, to take down organised waste crime networks.

This modified unit has been on top of what the authorities term as an excellent year of waste enforcement, where 751 unlawful waste locations have been closed. These have involved operations on fly-tips on rural land and larger unauthorised sites, which have affected communities in England.

Government Backing and Budget Commitment

The government has sanctioned the enhanced enforcement package by over 50 per cent increment of the EA enforcement budget, which now amounts to £15.6 million. This financial increase is to ensure both technology investments and the extension of the main teams engaged in enforcement operations.

'By increasing the Environment Agency's enforcement budget by over 50% to £15.6 million, we're investing in cutting-edge technology that allows us to shut down illegal operators faster and more effectively,' said Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds.

'From advanced laser-mapping to drone surveillance and new vehicle-scanning tools, this technology is helping us track, expose and stop waste crime, ensuring those who blight our communities are held to account.'

From Fly‑Tipping to Organised Crime Networks

Illegal waste disposal, often abbreviated as fly-tipping, has been costing the UK economy an estimated hundreds of millions of pounds each year and has also left landowners and local governments with massive clean-up costs. It has been estimated by experts that the cost of waste crime in the broader economic system can amount to nearly £1 billion annually.

The most recent enforcement activity comes amid rising concern about sophisticated waste crime operations. The use of drones and digital screening technologies is poised to address this change and allow authorities to detect, document, and act on evidence faster and more accurately.