Hinckley Leicestershire Illegal Waste Site Shutdown Investigation

• The Environment Agency is investigating an illegal waste site in Hinckley, Leicestershire, after local partners shut it down.
• The incident is part of a larger issue of illegal waste sites popping up in busy areas across the region.
• The Environment Agency is appealing for information from the public to help with ongoing investigations and prevent further environmental damage.
• Communities are being encouraged to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to help tackle waste crime.

Waste crime scars communities and the environment, and in line with our 10 point plan we’re acting quickly to tackle illegal activity.

The Environment Agency is leading an investigation into an illegal waste site that was shut down near Hinckley in Leicestershire. The site, located off the A47 Leicester Road, was discovered on August 5, 2026, with dumped waste on the land. Local partners, including Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Leicestershire Police, acted swiftly to prevent further environmental damage by shutting down the site. This incident is part of a larger issue of illegal waste sites popping up in busy areas, including dual carriageways, motorways, farms, and woodland.

The shutdown of the Hinckley waste site is part of the Environment Agency's efforts to tackle illegal waste sites as outlined in its 10 Point Plan. The plan includes expanding the use of restriction notices and orders to prevent illegal dumping, which is a key aspect of the agency's response to suspected waste crime. This increased focus on enforcement actions may lead to more stringent regulations in the region. Environment Agency officers are involved in a sustained programme of action to strengthen prevention, improve detection, and deliver consistent enforcement.

The Environment Agency is appealing for information from the public to help with ongoing investigations. The agency is calling on communities to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity in the region, which could involve tipper lorries, skip lorries, or articulated lorries entering derelict sites or fields. Reporting information promptly allows the Environment Agency to take swift action to intervene and prevent further environmental damage. Communities are being encouraged to act as 'eyes and ears' for the agency, helping to tackle waste crime and protect the environment.

Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of the Environment Agency's increased efforts to tackle illegal waste sites, which may lead to more stringent regulations and enforcement actions in the region.

Source: Original reporting via GOV.UK