Country Watch News

Rural Crime Updates

Environment Agency: What is happening in Dorset?

We are lucky to live in a beautiful place with so much countryside, however, the largely rural nature of Dorset is also exploited by criminals.

Waste crime can take place anywhere including urban centres, but the large-scale and illegally operated sites are more commonly found in remote locations away from onlookers.

Effectively tackling such crimes involves a joined-up approach between the Environment Agency and Dorset Police. It is vital that data, information, intelligence and forensic capacity is shared.

This aspect has been greatly enhanced since the formation of the Dorset Partnership Against Rural Crime in 2021, and I am proud of our collective results. I recently attended a joint operation to target waste carriers, resulting in strong intelligence gathering and offences being identified.

I want to hand over to Environment Agency Enforcement Lead for Wessex, Lucy Woodland, to give you a greater understanding of waste crime and highlight what is happening to keep Dorset’s residents and countryside safe:

The Environment Agency regulatory role means that anyone who handles, stores or carries waste needs to obtain a licence from the Environment Agency to do so. 

The Environment Agency comes across a number of unlicensed operators ranging from a man with a van carrying waste without a permit, to Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) running large scale illegal tips. OCGs normally operate across borders with multiple interests so exploiting waste sites funds another element of their business, or is a front for money laundering.

We often collaborate with enforcement partners such as the police because when waste crimes are committed, it is possible to uncover additional offences such as human trafficking and modern slavery. There are several such cases in Dorset that are being dealt with at present.

We are prosecuting a carrier in Dorset after doubts arose from trawling through the company’s paperwork. We could not make their numbers tally up with ours which heightened suspicion, leading us to dig deeper in pursuit of the truth.

Another case involves a site owner grinding down nasty materials before passing it off as soil, burying it, and putting turf on top. Last year, we dealt with a site in Verwood burning items that emit dangerous pollutants. There are 22 active investigations of waste sites taking place in Dorset.

There are many reasons why waste crime is detrimental to society, with the obvious one being environmental damage caused to countryside and wildlife. But knock-on effects include tax avoidance and lower prices, which puts legitimate tax-paying companies at a disadvantage.

There is a policy called the Proceeds of Crime Act, that claws back money from convicted criminals obtained through illicit means. We are using this to hit criminals in Dorset, so they can’t benefit financially after prosecution or release from prison.

After the Environment Agency intervenes to remind operators of their responsibilities, around 60% of those operating incorrectly clean up their act at the first time of asking and get the correct licences or permits. But in the 40% when people persist, they do not care about anything other than lining their pockets at the expense of environmental harm and we will take enforcement action against these individuals.

Public support is crucial as it helps us become aware of issues impacting communities and builds an intelligence bank against perpetrators. I encourage people with concerns to get in contact as you are our eyes and ears on the ground. Things to be wary of include lorries arriving at all hours of the day, excess noise, lighting, dust or other airborne waste.

We received more than 400 reports last year. Investigations are often complex and lengthy which can last three years but since March 2024, we have undertaken 17 prosecutions over 3 counties.

A big thanks to Lucy for an informative piece. Waste crime is often more than what it appears on the surface. It is multi-layered that takes many forms and is linked to other, serious types of illegal activity. It is everyone’s duty to be vigilant and report any activity that seems suspicious, to help us keep Dorset a pleasant place to live, work and visit. 

If you want to learn more about waste crime and what is being done to fight it, please visit Dorset’s Country Watch or the Environment Agency websites. To report waste crime to the Environment Agency, please call 0800 80 70 60.

David Sidwick

Watch a series of videos relating to rural crime on the  Police and Crime Commissioner's YouTube channel here.

Rural Crime Prevention Leaflet

The Dorset Partnership Against Rural Crime (DPARC) has launched an information leaflet which gives hints and tips on crime prevention, especially for those living in rural areas.

The information leaflet gives proactive advice on how to help keep farms, land and machinery safe, with key police-approved information and advice on how to prevent residents from becoming a victim of crime

Download the leaflet here.

Have you seen The news...

In January 2025, a 28 year-old man from East Dorset and a 22 year-old woman from Wimborne were arrested by on suspicion after seven puppies were stolen in North Dorset. Following further investigations, a man aged in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and he has also been released on police bail.

In November 2024, one individual was arrested and a van linked to trailer theft across Dorest was seized. A number of power tools were also seized for identification.

On 19 November 2024, seven ponies were seized in relation to a welfare investigation. Officers from the Rural Crime Team attended a field in West Dorset alongside partners from the RSPCA, and World Horse Welfare charity. After an assessment from a vet, officers seized the ponies under the Animal welfare Act to prevent unnecessary suffering. An investigation is ongoing.

On 19 October 2024, Rural Crime Officers generated and progressed intelligence into a motorhome being sold online. It was found in Templecombe and identified as being stolen from Derbyshire so once tracked down, the motorhome was seized by offiers. An investigation has now started to identify those responsible for its theft. Another fantastic example of policing from our dedicated Rural Crime Team officers.

Officers from the Environment Agency, Dorset Police and Dorset Council visited a site close to Verwood in September 2024 to gather evidence and intelligence of potential illegal waste activity taking place at the site. They found evidence of domestic waste including electrical goods, furniture and garden waste, some of which had been burnt.

Farmer event in Dorchester to tackle livestock attacks - An event held near Dorchester will help to raise awareness and help farmers understand more on what to do when faced with a dog attack, how to protect livestock, how vets can help, learn about future deterrents - and provide an opportunity to talk to their local Rural Crime Team officers.

PCC Newsletter providing updates on a range of rural issues and measures put in place to enhance safety in Dorset's countryside, from September 2024.

PCC Newsletter highlighting partnership work helping to secure convictions against prolific offenders in Dorset, from March 2024.

Dorset Police Rural Crime Team #RuralLive - Officers shared on social media what they were up to...including stopping a number of vehicles, engagement with rural communities, videos of a few of the Rural Mounted Volunteers, and some positive outcomes!

Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team worked with officers from Wiltshire Police and Hampshire Police to disrupt poaching activity.

Dorset Police issue advice after rural break ins - The last few months have seen a spate of thefts in rural areas. With shed and outbuildings broken in to and power tools, quad bikes and other items stolen.  Dorset Police are urging rural residents remain vigilant and take extra precautions to make sure their possessions are secure.

Rural Mounted Volunteer scheme is launched in Dorset  - Dorset Police officially welcomed its first Rural Mounted Volunteers at a launch ceremony which took place at Kingston Maurward College yesterday evening, 12 October 2023.

Shaun the Sheep's Guide to The Countryside Code - general advice for being out and about in the countryside.

Apps offering waste disposal services are a new and emerging risk - make sure you know your duty of care obligations.Using apps to dispose of waste: know the risks - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)