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Inside the rise of UK's 'shadow bin men' using fake lorries to commit crimes

These rogue refuse collectors are raking in 100s of millions, and are believed to be responsible for managing 20% of the UK's total rubbish while setting the taxpayer back around 1 billion

[Police launched a crackdown on the criminal activity, seizing vehicles. ]

Police launched a crackdown on the criminal activity, seizing vehicles. (Image: Environment Agency)

Criminal syndicates made up of rogue binmen driving unlicensed rubbish lorries are raking in big bucks despite a government crackdown, it is claimed.

Gangs of dodgy refuse workers are marauding the nation, with 1 in 5 pieces of rubbish, or around 53 million tonnes worth, being collected by criminals every year. And Britain's bin black market is bringing in the big bucks for the gangs.

According to the government's own Waste Crime Management Plan, these illegal rubbish collectors are costing England alone around 1 billion every year, while shadowy refuse companies are dodging around 150 million in tax every year.

[Multi-agency crackdown on waste crime across East Lancashire]

The government say they are trying to crack down on the worrying crime(Image: Environment Agency)

Not only are the gangs burning a hole in the nation's pocket, but in our noses and eyes too, with illegal, poorly managed dumps popping up across the UK, bringing with them reports of terrible smell.

One such example was in Cave's Inn pit in Lancashire, where multiple complaints from locals about a grim stench led to 30,000 tonnes of illegally managed waste being found dumped within a protected area of marshland, something described as "heart-breaking" by Environment Agency Area Director Ian Jones.

The government say they are working to deal with the problem, and have promised to pump 45 million into cracking down on these literally rubbish criminals, with Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle saying: "I want to be clear to waste criminals: we are coming for you."

[The scale of the waste dump was enormous]

Illegal rubbish dumps smell and look terrible (Image: Environment Agency)

A police crackdown earlier this month (July 23), also in Lancashire, found waste management gangs using rogue bin lorries and illegal dump sites as cover for wider criminality, recovering stolen construction equipment and uncovering two more unknown waste sites.

Illegally-owned and managed vehicles are a real cause for concern, with experts stating that they contribute to a "dangerous environment" on British roads.

A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) spokesperson stated; "Illegally operated vehicles create a dangerous environment for everyone on Britains roads.

[Refuse collector and refuse truck in street]

The DVLA say rogue waste management vehicles can pose a risk on the road(Image: Monty Rakusen via Getty Images)

"Were pleased to have worked in partnership on this multi-agency operation with the Environment Agency and Lancashire Police, taking firm action against drivers and operators who flout the law.

"DVSA works closely with other enforcement agencies to keep our roads safe and will not hesitate to take the strongest possible action against anyone who does not take their responsibilities seriously."

Officials are hoping the crackdown, which they've called Operation Unite, will deter gangs from looking to profit from illegal waste management.

[Police car]

Officials are hoping to crack down on the crime (Image: Getty Images)

The Environment Agencys Chief Executive Phillip Duffy said: "Operation Unite sends a clear warning to waste criminals: the days of operating under the radar are over.

"This campaign has shown what is possible when we combine intelligence, coordination and determination - and its just the beginning. With more targeted operations planned, the pressure on waste criminals will only intensify."

Anyone with information about suspected waste crime is encouraged to report it to the Environment Agencys 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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