Following on from pollutant foam being sighted again in the River Bollin, the state of our environment on land isn't faring too well either.

Cheshire Constabulary's Rural Crime Team has been working with the Environment Agency to tackle fly-tipping on an industrial scale in a rural area between Macclesfield and Congleton.

At around 6.20pm last night (Tuesday 15 August) officers from the team attended a dirt track off Macclesfield Road following information they had received. On arrival they discovered a large HGV surrounded by approximately 200 tonnes of waste.

Officers seized the truck, which was carrying 35 tonnes of waste, and the driver voluntarily attended the local police station to be interviewed under caution. Enquiries are continuing with the team and the Environment Agency.

PC Rob Stordy from the Rural Crime Team said: "Waste crime is just one of many crimes affecting our rural neighbours and the negative impact it has on the community should not be underestimated.

"That's why our team works with the likes of the Environment Agency to tackle the issue.

"Criminals are very much mistaken if they think it isn't an issue we take seriously – our team is always committed to finding those responsible and in doing so making Cheshire a no go area for criminals who are not only a blight on our countryside, but a danger to our environment.

"I'd urge anyone who sees fly-tipping or suspicious activity to contact us so that we can make Cheshire Police on 101 or via www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us."

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A Freedom of Information request has been submitted by Macclesfield Nub News on the amount of fly-tipping in recent years.

Jeni Brittlebank Environment Agency Enforcement Lead for Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire said: "The Environment Agency is committed to tackling waste crime and will take strong action against those who break the law, to protect communities and the environment.  

 "While results such as this reflect the tough action we take our work does not stop here. We are working in partnership across the North West to fight waste crime and bring those responsible to justice. 

"Members of the public can help us by reporting waste crime to our 24/7 incident hotline on 0800 807060 or to the police on 101."

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