Warning over criminal links to waste disposal and fly-tipping

Investigators from a borough council in Kent are warning the public to be more aware of who is disposing of their waste amid concerns about organised criminal gang links to fly-tipping.

Gravesham Borough Council spent £90,000 clearing illegally dumped waste and raised 504 investigations in the financial year to March 2025.

Tim Harris, Gravesham's environmental enforcement manager, said there was evidence of a move towards environmental crime where he said "rewards are high, penalties are lower and there's a massive network involved".

"There's a huge amount of money to be made," he added.