The Environment Agency has released CCTV images of a man investigators want to speak to after approximately 75 tonnes of waste were dumped at a mill in Nelson, Lancashire. Officers believe the dumping was organised and involved a lorry using cloned number plates.
The Environment Agency is appealing for help identifying a man pictured on CCTV following the dumping of around 75 tonnes of commercial and household waste at a mill yard in Nelson, Lancashire. The waste was deposited in five separate deliveries on Sunday 15 February 2026, leaving the landowner facing thousands of pounds in clean-up costs.
View the Environment Agency’s original CCTV appeal and image.
Five deliveries in just four hours
According to the Environment Agency, the waste was brought to the mill yard between 2pm and 6pm on Sunday 15 February 2026.
Investigators believe the operation was planned and deliberate, with five separate deposits made during the four-hour period.
The wagon used to transport the waste was displaying cloned vehicle registration plates. Such plates can be used to conceal a vehicle’s identity and make it more difficult for investigators to trace those responsible.
The Environment Agency has already pursued several lines of enquiry and spoken to a person of interest. However, officers are continuing to seek information from the public.
CCTV images released as investigators seek man
The man investigators want to identify is described by the Environment Agency as:
- White
- Approximately 5ft 9in tall
- Of heavy build
- Having red hair
- Wearing a beard in the CCTV footage
The appeal was featured on BBC Crimewatch Live on Thursday 22 October 2026 in an effort to generate new information.
The man pictured is being sought for questioning. The Environment Agency has not announced that he has been charged with any offence in connection with the dumping.
Anyone who recognises him is encouraged to contact investigators rather than approach him directly or make accusations online.
Landowner faces thousands of pounds in clean-up costs
The illegally deposited material includes mixed commercial and household waste.
The affected mill is situated in a residential area next to a canal, meaning the consequences extend beyond the immediate landowner.
John Neville, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said the waste had been deliberately dumped and investigators believed the use of cloned number plates was intended to avoid detection.
He added:
“We are urging anyone who recognises the man in the images to come forward with information.”
The landowner now faces a bill running into thousands of pounds to have the waste removed and disposed of at a legitimate waste facility.
Why illegal waste dumping affects entire communities
Large-scale waste dumping can leave landowners facing substantial financial losses, even when they have not been responsible for bringing the waste onto their property.
Illegally dumped materials can also create pollution risks, attract pests, obstruct access and leave neighbouring residents living alongside unsightly waste.
The Environment Agency has stepped up enforcement activity against waste crime across England, including investigations into organised dumping and illegal waste sites.
Members of the public and businesses can help reduce the risk of waste crime by checking that companies collecting their rubbish are registered waste carriers and keeping records of waste transfers.
The government’s public register of waste carriers can be used to check whether a business is registered.
How to help the Environment Agency investigation
Anyone who recognises the man pictured, or who has information about the movements of vehicles or dumping activity in Nelson on 15 February 2026, is asked to contact the authorities.
Environment Agency incident hotline: 0800 80 70 60
Crimestoppers (anonymous): 0800 555 111
Both services operate 24 hours a day.
The Environment Agency is particularly interested in information that could help investigators identify the man shown in the CCTV images.
Even information that appears insignificant could assist the investigation.
Source
Environment Agency: CCTV appeal after Lancashire waste dumping, 22 October 2026
