A multi-agency investigation into large-scale illegal waste tipping in Kidlington has resulted in two additional arrests, bringing the total number of suspects detained to three since the probe began.
Officers from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit executed warrants at two locations on 29 January, working alongside the Environment Agency, Thames Valley Police, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and Surrey Police. A 69-year-old man was detained at a property in Andover whilst a 54-year-old man was apprehended in Slough.
Both suspects face allegations of environmental and money laundering offences. They have been released on conditional bail pending further investigation. The arrests follow a previous detention made in November as part of the ongoing case.
The Environment Agency’s National Environmental Crime Unit is leading the investigation, which aims to identify and prosecute those responsible for the offending. Site clearance work is scheduled to commence at the end of February following the signing of a waste removal contract.
Acumen Waste Services Ltd has been appointed to carry out the cleanup operation and is currently preparing for waste removal activities. The Environment Agency announced in December that planning work to clear the illegal site had begun.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds described the illegal dumping as appalling, stating it has caused significant damage to the environment and distress to the local community. She welcomed the arrests as an important step in securing justice for local residents.
The government has pledged to combat waste crime nationwide by increasing funding, hiring additional officers and introducing stricter checks and penalties for lawbreakers.
Emma Viner, Enforcement and Investigations Manager in the Environment Agency’s National Environmental Crime Unit, characterised the illegal dump as an atrocious and deliberate attack on the environment. She stated the agency shares the community’s anger at the crime and confirmed teams have been working tirelessly with SEROCU on the investigation.
The site’s history dates back to July 2025 when the Environment Agency first received reports of waste being tipped. Officers attended on 2 July, with a subsequent visit showing no change to the site and no additional waste deposits, prompting the issuance of a cease-and-desist letter.
However, officers became aware of continued criminal activity at the location in October 2025. The Environment Agency sought and obtained a court order to close the site, which was granted on 23 October. No further tipping has occurred since the closure order took effect.
The arrests on 29 January represent another vital step in collecting evidence and progressing the investigation. Authorities continue working to bring those responsible to account whilst preparing for the imminent site clearance operation.
