Suspect released over fly-tipped waste mountain

A man arrested over the huge pile of fly-tipped waste dumped in a field in Oxfordshire has been released while inquiries continue.

The Environment Agency (EA) said on Tuesday a 39-year-old man from the Guildford area had been held in connection with the pile of rubbish near Kidlington.

The EA previously declared a critical incident over the situation.

In an update released shortly before 13:30 GMT, it said: "The 39-year man arrested yesterday has been released pending further investigation, which continues at speed."

The heap, which is up to 150m (490ft) long and 6m (20ft) high, appeared on a field between the River Cherwell and the A34.

The agency has said it is conducting a major investigation and coordinating with Oxfordshire County Council, Thames Valley Police, and National Highways.

Fly-tippers are thought to have started building up the mound of waste in the summer.

The EA said it became aware of it in July.

The landowner of the neighbouring site said he saw truckloads being dumped there every night for months.

The rubbish itself is made up of what appears to be processed domestic waste, shredded plastics, polystyrene, tyres and other household items.

In a statement, the Environment Agency said: "After officers became aware of continued criminal activity on site in October, a court order was sought and granted to close the site.

"Since this was granted on 23 October, no further tipping has taken place.

"For both safety reasons and because the site is now a live crime scene, members of the public should avoid entering the site."

Phil Davies, head of the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, said: "We would ask that the public and media do not speculate about the identity of any other individuals who may be connected with the offending at this location, or interfere with the waste on site as we continue to treat it as an active crime scene.

"The Environment Agency is continuing its work to protect the community and environment from the impacts of this crime, conducting rigorous assessments of risks to the River Cherwell and monitoring any impacts on the ground."

The environment secretary, Emma Reynolds, said: "This was an appalling incident, and I welcome the progress on the investigation.

"The local community is rightly concerned, and that is why I am asking the Environment Agency for regular updates."