Arrests made in Yorkshire raids as part of waste crime investigation

Four people have been arrested in connection with an investigation into waste offences, fraud and money laundering after co-ordinated raids at three homes in Yorkshire.

The raids took place in a joint enforcement action involving the Environment Agency, Joint Unit for Waste Crime and Yorkshire & Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Four people – a man and woman aged in their 20s from Leeds, a man in his 50s from Doncaster and a man in his 30s from Calderdale – were arrested in connection with the enforcement, and evidence including digital devices was seized.

The arrests relate to two probes being carried out by the Environment Agency and Joint Unit for Waste Crime into fraud, money laundering and offences under the producer responsibility regulations.

Producer responsibility is about making sure businesses that manufacture, import and sell products such as electrical and electronic equipment, batteries and scrap vehicles are responsible for their end-of-life environmental impact.

According to the Environment Agency, its enquiries indicate the suspected fraud has resulted in a multi-million pound financial benefit.

Emma Viner, enforcement & investigations manager at the Environment Agency said: “We are thoroughly following and interrogating the evidence gathered during the raids to progress our ongoing investigation.

“Enquiries of this nature are complex and the financial benefit can be substantial. Our overall aim is to bring those involved to justice and remove the financial benefit made through committing crime.

“Working with our partners allows us to understand the full picture so we are grateful for the support and resource provided by the Yorkshire & Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit.”

Detective chief inspector Al Burns, of the Yorkshire & Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit, said: “We’re committed to working with our partner agencies to effectively investigate and relentlessly disrupt criminal activity.

“By working together, we can use our collective knowledge, experience and powers.”