30,000 tonnes of waste was dumped in a Kent woodland. (Image: PA)
Three men have been arrested after 30,000 tonnes of rubbish was dumped in an ancient woodland in Kent.
The beauty spot in Ashford has now been dubbed an “environmental disaster” by residents. Up to 15 feet high of household and construction waste is scattered across Hoad’s Wood.
According to the Environment Agency, two suspects, aged 44 and 62, are from the Isle of Sheppey, while the third, aged 41, is from Sittingbourne. All three have now been interviewed.
A court order prevents unauthorised access to the wood while a specialist firm removes the waste.
At the same time, the authorities will monitor the site for any effect the rubbish has had on the air and water quality.
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Three men have been arrested in connection to the crime. (Image: PA)
A criminal investigation was opened in 2023 following the thousands of tonnes of household and construction waste left in the woods, which are home to a multitude of birds, insects, and trees. The area was designated a site of special scientific interest.
The Environment Agency’s Director of Operations for East and South East England, Simon Hawkins, said: “The dumping of thousands of tonnes of waste at Hoads Wood in 2023 was a flagrant act of vandalism – with horrendous consequences for the local community and environment.”
“The Environment Agency and Kent Police have been working tirelessly to uncover the identity of those responsible and bring them to justice, and to take the fight to organised criminal networks. The arrest of three individuals yesterday is a major step forward for our investigation and should bring some comfort to residents whose lives have been upended by this crime.”
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Last year, campaign group Rescue Hoad’s Wood said there were local reports of 20-30 rubbish trucks dumping illegal waste daily from 2023, with cases dating back to 2020.
Sergeant Darren Walshaw, of Kent Police’s Rural Task Force, said: “Fly-tipping and environmental crime is a blight on Kent’s beautiful landscape and we are committed to supporting the Environment Agency in its ongoing efforts to bring those responsible to justice.”
Sgt Walshaw added that those who “dump large volumes of waste are often linked to other forms of criminal activity,” emphasising their acts will not be tolerated.