AN investigation into dozens of giant heaps of waste dumped illegally across southern England has led to the arrest of a man, aged 44, by Thames Valley Police.

Now, a 57-year-old Uxbridge man has also been questioned in connection with a major fly-tip near Kingsclere in Hampshire.

The Environment Agency was contacted after around 120 tons of shredded waste was found on private land near the village of Wolverton.

Hampshire Police later released him pending further investigation.

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The spate of incidents started in March and has so far involved 35 amounts of waste deposited unlawfully, with 100 tons dumped at a time in some cases.

A Maidenhead man was arrested as part of an ongoing operation between the Environment Agency, the Met and Thames Valley and Surrey forces. 

Emma Viner, area enforcement manager for the Environment Agency, said: “Waste criminals put both the environment and local communities at risk with their reckless actions.

“We encourage anyone with information on these incidents to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Last year, the Environment Agency stopped illegal waste activity at 812 sites, more than two a day.