The penalties for fly-tipping
Fly-tipping is a criminal offence under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Penalties depend on the route of prosecution and the scale of the offence:
Fixed Penalty Notice — for minor incidents
Maximum fine — summary conviction (magistrates' court)
Fine on indictment (Crown Court) + up to 5 years custody
For large-scale organised waste crime — multiple sites, hazardous materials, criminal networks — the Crown Court route is the appropriate target. CIT builds evidence packages with that outcome in mind.
What CIT prepares
Intelligence packages
Structured intelligence reports in National Intelligence Model (NIM) format — the standard used by the Environment Agency and police. Each package contains sourcing and handling caveats, graded intelligence and recommended action.
Witness statements
Formal witness statements taken from landowners, site managers, neighbours and any individuals who witnessed the incident — drafted in a format suitable for use in criminal proceedings.
Photographic and CCTV evidence bundles
Timestamped, geotagged photographic evidence and CCTV/ANPR footage packaged in compliance with evidential standards for admissibility — including chain of custody documentation.
Cost schedules
Itemised schedules of all costs incurred — security, investigation, testing, clearance — submitted alongside the prosecution case to support confiscation proceedings and costs orders.
Expert evidence
Where required, CIT can provide expert witness reports on waste identification, operational security, and intelligence methodology for use in criminal and civil proceedings.
The prosecution pathway
Intelligence package submitted to EA / police
CIT's intelligence report is submitted to the relevant agency — Environment Agency, local police waste crime unit, or JUWC depending on scale.
Liaison with investigating officer
CIT maintains direct liaison with the EA case officer or police investigating officer — ensuring our evidence and intelligence is integrated into their case file.
Supplementary intelligence as required
Investigations often develop new leads. CIT remains tasked throughout — providing supplementary intelligence, additional ANPR analysis and further witness accounts as required.
Pre-charge evidence review
Where the EA or CPS requests clarification or additional evidence before charging, CIT responds promptly to ensure the case does not stall at the evidential threshold.
Court proceedings support
CIT can attend court as a witness, provide expert reports, and assist the prosecution team with factual and technical matters relating to the waste crime incident.
Costs recovery pursuit
Following conviction, CIT assists in pursuing costs orders and confiscation proceedings — recovering clearance, investigation and legal costs from the convicted perpetrators.
The JUWC escalation route
The Joint Unit for Waste Crime (JUWC) is the multi-agency body tackling serious and organised waste crime. Cases meeting the JUWC threshold — typically involving organised criminal networks, multiple sites, or significant tonnages of hazardous waste — are escalated beyond the local EA team.
CIT structures its intelligence packages to be JUWC-compatible from the outset. If your case involves indicators of organised criminal activity, contact CIT immediately — the intelligence must be gathered and protected correctly from day one.
- JUWC has powers to freeze assets linked to waste crime
- JUWC investigations can run in parallel with criminal proceedings
- Financial investigation of waste crime profits is a JUWC core function