ENVIRONMENT Agency officers and police raided a suspected illegal waste site near Ely this afternoon (Wednesday).

Cambs Times: The Evironment Agency raided a suspected illegal waste site in Ely on WednesdayThe Evironment Agency raided a suspected illegal waste site in Ely on Wednesday (Image: Archant)

Acting on intelligence, agency officers entered the site, believed to be a farm, where they suspected that large-scale illegal importation and disposal of waste was going on.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said that, as investigations were ongoing, it could not reveal the exact location of the raid.

A man believed to be responsible for the site has been requested to attend formal interview with Environment Agency officers at a later date.

The raid was part of Operation Cyclone and aimed at tackling the illegal waste industry.

Police and officers from East Cambridgeshire District Council joined agency officers in the raid and found large amounts of construction and demolition waste deposited and spread over a large area of land on three separate locations.

There was also some evidence of previous waste burning and most concerning, amounts of suspected asbestos. Machinery found on site is used in the screening and treating of waste.

Environment Agency team leader, Phil Henderson said: “Serious waste crime is big business. There are currently in excess of 700 illegal waste sites operating throughout England and Wales, with approximately 130 of those in this part of the country.

“Illegal waste sites undermine the legitimate industry and can cause serious pollution incidents, odour problems, chemical spills, blight the landscape, and cause misery for surrounding communities.

Any information about waste crime can be reported to the Environment Agency by calling the incident hotline 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously to Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.