The UK government has revealed a major technological escalation in its campaigns against unlawful waste crime by deploying an expanded fleet of drones, high-tech laser-mapping equipment, and a novel computer-based screening programme to deter offenders and enhance prosecutions.
The package, which is led by the Environment Agency (EA), seeks to identify and thwart criminal activities regarding waste management before they are even initiated.
Core to the new strategy is a 33-strongdrone squadthat would now focus on monitoring the locations of illegal waste from the air. Designated pilots will remotely capture aerial images of suspected dumping spots using the aircraft and focus efforts on concealed and inaccessible areas.
Some drones are being equipped with Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology, which is a laser-based mapping system that shoots millions of laser pulses a second to create a detailed, 3D ground map. This capability will assist officers in creating accurate visual records of illegal dumps to be used as evidence in court.
According to the figures from the Environment Agency, drones have already received widespread application in recent months: the aircraft have spent 272 hours on air since July last year, collecting intelligence about environmental offences.
In addition to aerial surveillance, theEnvironment Agencyhas designed advanced screening software that cross-checks lorry operators' license operations against the waste permit records maintained by the agency.
Through this digital system, officers will be able to flag potentially suspicious operators prior to them starting to transport waste illegally, closing a loophole that was long-exploited by organised criminals.
The change signals a broader shift toward data-driven enforcement, which involves the use of data to identify threats and enforce interventions with improved efficiency. The government claims that this technology will play a vital role in screening applications and catching criminals at the initial stage of their operations.
To supplement the technological implementation, the Joint Unit for Waste Crime has increased the number of its specialists by 13 to 20 experts, including former police officers and enforcement specialists. This team is in close co-operation with national and local law enforcement partners, such as police forces and the National Crime Agency, to take down organised waste crime networks.
This modified unit has been on top of what the authorities term as an excellent year of waste enforcement, where 751 unlawful waste locations have been closed. These have involved operations onfly-tips on rural landand larger unauthorised sites, which have affected communities in England.
Source: International Business Times UK
