Arrests after 20 tonnes of waste fly-tipped by HGV

The stolen HGV was seen dumping 20 tonnes of waste, police said

Two people have been arrested after a large amount of waste was seen being fly-tipped at an industrial estate.

Police said the material was dumped by a stolen HGV at Imperial Works on Coalpit Hill in Talke, Staffordshire, on 29 October.

Two days later, the truck was spotted dumping a further 20 tonnes of waste, leading to the arrest of a man from Kent and a woman of no fixed address.

The man, 43, was arrested on suspicion of stealing the truck and depositing controlled waste without a permit, police said. The woman, 19, was later released with no further action.

Insp Joel Hurst said the fly tipping was a "brazen flouting of the law" and said officers were committed to prevent illegal dumping.

Police said a man from Kent was arrested in connection with the illegal dumping

Neil Burgess, from the Environment Agency's environmental crime team, said waste management permits were in place to protect the public.

"We are determined to tackle waste crime that is blighting our communities and will continue to work with our partners to take action against those suspected of being involved," he said.