FIGHT to tackle scourge of waste crime takes another step forward today as Michael Gove announces a comprehensive review to beef up the government ’ s approach .

Waste criminals act illegally to evade landfill tax , undercut responsible waste disposal businesses , operate illegal waste sites , export waste illegally and fly-tip - blighting communities with bad smells , fly infestations and fires .

Their activity cost the English economy more than £ 600 million in 2015 and the review announced by the Environment Secretary today is the next step in the government ’ s ongoing work to tackle the crime - which is already a serious offence with tough penalties .

A Call for Evidence launched today ( 10 June ) will enable a wide

group of people to have their say on ways to crack-down further on Organised Crime Groups ( OCGs ), who profit from waste crime .

More than 850 new illegal waste sites were discovered by the Environment Agency in 2016-17 . While an average of two illegal waste sites are shut down every day , they continue to create severe problems for local communities and business , particularly in rural areas , as well as posing a risk to key national infrastructure .

A study by the Home Office suggests that criminals may also use waste management activities such as operating illegal waste sites as a cover for crimes such as theft , human trafficking , fraud , drugs supply , firearms supply and money laundering .

Since 2014 , the Government has given the Environment Agency an

extra £ 60million towards enforcement work to tackle waste crime . This extra investment has shown a return of about £ 5 for every £ 1 extra spent .

Today ’ s announcement builds on a range of new measures from the government to tackle waste crime , including new powers for the Environment Agency to lock the gates to problem waste sites

to prevent waste illegally building up and powers to force operators to clear all the waste at problem sites , and extending landfill tax to include material disposed of at illegal waste sites with effect from April 2018 .

The Government has also recently given councils powers to hand out on-the-spot fines to fly-tippers , made it easier for

vehicles suspected of being used for fly-tipping to be stopped , searched and seized , and later this year will introduce new fixed penalty notices for householders who pass their waste to a fly-tipper , subject to Parliamentary approval .

The review is due to be completed by September 2018 .