Three men have been arrested as part of a criminal investigation into the large-scale illegal dumping of waste in a protected woodland area in Kent.
The two men, aged 44 and 62, from the Isle of Sheppey, and a 41-year-old from Sittingbourne, were arrested on Wednesday (February 5) in connection with the discovery of 30,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste at Hoads Wood, near Ashford.
The site, which is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), had been completely overwhelmed with household and construction waste, with piles reaching 15 feet high in places, the Environment Agency (EA) confirmed.
Criminal Investigation Launched
A criminal investigation was launched in 2023 after the shocking scale of the environmental crime was uncovered.
The Environment Agency and Kent Police’s Rural Task Force have since been working to track down those responsible and prevent further damage to the Kent countryside.
To stop further illegal dumping, the EA secured a court order, banning unauthorised access to the woodland.
A specialist waste removal company has also been brought in to clear the site and restore the area.
Authorities Condemn Environmental Crime
Simon Hawkins, the EA’s director of operations for East and South East England, described the environmental damage as horrendous:
“This crime has had horrendous consequences for the local community and environment.
We, alongside Kent Police, have been working tirelessly to uncover those responsible and bring them to justice.”
Sergeant Darren Walshaw, of Kent Police’s Rural Task Force, said:
“Fly-tipping and environmental crime is a blight on Kent’s beautiful landscape.
We are committed to supporting the Environment Agency in its ongoing efforts to bring those responsible to justice.”
Monitoring for Environmental Damage
The Environment Agency continues to monitor the site for any potential contamination of air and water quality.
Authorities have assured residents that all necessary environmental authorisations will be in place while the waste is removed.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further action is expected against those involved in the illegal waste operation.
