The Criminal <\/u>Justice Inspectorate has recently completed a review of the operation of the Northern Ireland (NI) Environment Agency\u2019s Environmental Crime Unit, noting issues relating to enforcement and assessing how the unit works strategically.<\/u>\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n
As the focus of the report is the Environmental Crime Unit, much of the issues considered concentrate on environmental crime such as pollution (with actions recommended for strategic action on assessing the waste sector), however there are also implications for the built heritage as the operating principles and enforcement actions of the unit as a whole are considered (one of the key operating principles of the unit is stated as \u2018We will help people see our environment and heritage as an opportunity, not a barrier\u2019).<\/p>\n
The introduction to the report by Brendan McGuigan (Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland) notes that \u2018We cannot afford to let environmental crime slip down the priority list for public and environmental safety, nor can we afford to let unscrupulous individuals or gangs damage our collective heritage\u2019.<\/p>\n
The Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI) writes:
\n<\/u>Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI) has recommended the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) enhance its enforcement and regulation activity and develop a more rigorous approach to dealing with offenders involved in environmental crime in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
The call was made by James Corrigan, Deputy Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland following the publication today (21 May) of CJI’s latest report which looked at the operation and work of the Agency’s Environmental Crime Unit (ECU).<\/p>\n
\u2018CJI was invited to undertake an independent review of the ECU by the Department of the Environment after concerns were raised during the summer of 2014 about the operation of the unit, its processes and investigation practice,\u2019 said Mr Corrigan.<\/p>\n
\u2018While CJI was satisfied the way the unit was operating did not pose any significant concerns, Inspectors have made a number of strategic and operational recommendations designed to strengthen the operation and performance of the unit and its ability to tackle waste crime.<\/p>\n
\u2018Environmental crime impacts on all of us. Significant organised waste crime has been found to exist in Northern Ireland with criminals, illegal and unscrupulous operators making significant profits from waste crime and illegal waste disposal,\u2019 said the Deputy Chief Inspector.<\/p>\n
\u2018These activities mean legitimate businesses cannot compete as their costs are undercut by criminals who do not see enforcement action as a deterrent.<\/p>\n
\u2018This review found the work undertaken by staff within the ECU is contributing to securing convictions and the confiscation of money linked to waste crime.<\/p>\n
\u2018This type of activity is positive but it must be supported by strong regulation and enforcement.\u00a0 Criminals and illegal operators must be in no doubt that compliance with the law is the priority of the ECU and a key objective of NIEA and the DoE in tackling waste and other environmental crime,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Corrigan indicated the review built upon the findings of previous inspections carried out by CJI in 2007 and in 2011 and supported the development of greater partnership working between the licencing and enforcement branches within the Environment Agency.<\/p>\n
\u2018Strong partnerships across the DoE and its executive agencies and with other law enforcement bodies through the Organised Crime Task Force are critical to the success of future enforcement action.<\/p>\n
\u2018While Inspectors accept that enforcement is costly, doing the same or even less is not a viable option for the DoE, as ineffective enforcement will impose enormous liabilities in the form of clean up operations, EU sanctions and risks to public health,\u2019 he concluded.<\/p>\n
View the press release<\/a><\/p>\n Download the report<\/a><\/p>\n View information<\/a> on the built heritage work of the NIEA<\/p>\n About NEIA<\/a><\/p>\n IHBC newsblogs on heritage crime<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Criminal Justice Inspectorate has recently completed a review of the operation of the Northern Ireland (NI) Environment Agency\u2019s Environmental Crime Unit, noting issues relating to enforcement and assessing how the unit works strategically.\u00a0 As the focus of the report … Continue reading