A large amount of waste has been tipped on council-owned land off the A47 Leicester Road, between Hinckley and Earl Shilton, prompting a joint investigation by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Leicestershire Police's Rural Crime team, and the Environment Agency.

The waste appears to include the contents of household skips. Heavy goods equipment was used at the site to create a soil embankment, deliberately shielding the area from public view.

Site Secured and Evidence Gathered

The council has acted quickly to secure the site and gather evidence. Two vehicles found on site have been removed under local authority powers for vehicles suspected of being used in waste crime.

The Environment Agency has now taken the lead on the investigation, with the council continuing to provide support and evidence to help identify those responsible.

Call for Witnesses

Officers are appealing for anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area to come forward. They are especially keen to hear from anyone who may have dashcam, CCTV or doorbell footage from the location.

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Leader Stuart Bray said: "This is a serious and deliberate act of waste crime. Those responsible have not only dumped a large amount of waste; they have taken steps to hide what they were doing. That makes it even more important that anyone who saw something unusual comes forward."

Bray added: "We know residents will rightly be angry to see the countryside treated in this way. Our officers are working closely with the police and Environment Agency, and action has already been taken, including removing two vehicles from the site. Our priority now is to support the Environment Agency's investigation, secure the evidence and make sure those responsible are held to account, including for the clean-up."

How to Report Information

Anyone with information should contact the Environment Agency incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60, quoting incident number 02544976. Reports can also be made to Leicestershire Police on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.