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A pair of individuals have been arrested as an element of an probe into the dumping of many thousands of metric tons of rubbish in a field in Oxfordshire.

Law enforcement stated that a man in his late sixties was arrested at a residence in Hampshire's Andover, while a 54-year-old was detained in Slough in relation with the huge pile of garbage deposited near Kidlington.

These apprehensions come after a previous revelation which exposed the existence of in excess of 500 illegal dumps throughout England, encompassing at least 11 so-called "large-scale sites" bigger than 20,000 metric tons.

A official for the environmental authorities commented that the apprehensions were for environmental and financial crimes and were a "crucial step" in active inquiries. Both men have been set free on bail.

Size of the Problem

The tipping ground in near Kidlington, situated between the river Cherwell and the A34, is estimated to hold approximately 21,000 tonnes of waste in a heap which is up to 150m (490ft) long and 6m (20ft) high.

This heap of garbage is composed of what seems to be treated household rubbish, shredded plastic materials, expanded polystyrene, tires and assorted domestic articles.

It is just one example of 517 illegal dumps throughout England, at least 11 of which hold over 20,000 tonnes of waste. Such sites encompass a 280,000-tonne area in Cheshire, two 50,000-tonne sites in Lancashire and Cornwall and a 36,000-tonne dump in the county of Kent.

The actual figure of such bigger locations is likely to be larger, as the regulatory agency has earlier indicated it does not hold records on volume for every unlawful dump.

Most sites are in countryside locations, typically concealed, and on land that should be arable ground.

Criminal Activity

Police report many are run by organised crime gangs, who are generating money by asking for much less than lawful operators to take and bury rubbish.

Firms have to pay disposal fees to use lawful landfill sites, contingent on the quantity and category of refuse they are trying to dispose of, and a disposal levy is also charged at just over £126 per metric ton.

Local Anger

Initial efforts to clear the Kidlington area location commenced earlier this month following fears over the threat of blaze and the consequences that would have on the close-by A-road.

A private waste clearance contractor has been granted the contract to deal with the area over the coming 12 months period at a price of £9.6m.

An enforcement officer for the government environmental crime team commented that the authority would be aiming to recoup the clearance funds under confiscation laws from anyone prosecuted at the end of its ongoing inquiry.

She noted that these arrests would help "push the inquiry forward" and permit authorities to "follow more avenues to determine exactly what transpired and who was implicated".

"The illegal dump at Kidlington was an appalling and deliberate attack on our environment and we understand the local frustration at this terrible act," she remarked.

A government official praised the actions, commenting: "This illegal dumping of rubbish at Kidlington is appalling and has caused significant harm to the natural world and distress to the surrounding community.

"Our authorities is pledged to eradicating this kind of illegal activity in the UK, by increasing resources to combat environmental crime, employing more personnel and implementing tougher measures and fines for those who violate the regulations."

The apprehensions were made on the specified day by officers from a dedicated crime team and come after an prior detention of a 39-year-old from the Guildford region in last November. He was set free pending more inquiries.