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A pair of individuals have been detained as a component of an inquiry into the tipping of many thousands of tonnes of rubbish in a field in Oxfordshire, England.

Officials indicated that a 69-year-old was arrested at a residence in the town of Andover, while a 54-year-old was detained in Slough, Berkshire in association with the huge heap of waste deposited near the area of Kidlington.

These detentions come after a recent report which uncovered the operation of in excess of 500 unauthorized sites throughout England, including at least 11 so-called "major sites" larger than 20,000 tonnes.

A representative for the environment body said that the detentions were for environment-related and financial violations and represented a "key step" in continuing probes. The apprehended men have been set free on pre-trial release.

Magnitude of the Issue

The illegal site in Kidlington, situated between the river Cherwell and the A34, is estimated to hold around 21,000 tons of rubbish in a pile which is up to 150m (490ft) in length and 6m (20ft) in height.

This mound of rubbish is consists of what appears to be sorted household waste, chopped up plastics, Styrofoam, tyres and assorted household objects.

It represents just one example of 517 illegal sites in the country, at minimum 11 of which hold more than 20,000 tonnes of garbage. Such sites encompass a 280,000-tonne site in the county of Cheshire, two 50,000-tonne locations in Lancashire and Cornwall county and a 36,000-tonne site in Kent.

The overall figure of such major sites is expected to be higher, as the regulatory authority has in the past indicated it does not maintain data on tonnage for every illegal tip.

The majority such locations are in rural settings, often concealed, and on land that is zoned as arable land.

Criminal Activity

Authorities report many are managed by organised crime gangs, who are making money by asking for far less than legitimate operators to receive and landfill rubbish.

Businesses have to be liable for gate fees to use legitimate disposal sites, depending on the volume and type of material they are trying to get rid of, and a waste tax is also charged at just over £126 per ton.

Public Frustration

Preparatory operations to clear the Kidlington location began recently following fears over the threat of blaze and the consequences that would have on the nearby A-road.

A contracted waste clearance company has been given the task to remediate the location over the next 12 months period at a expense of £9.6m.

An investigations official for the country's environmental crime team said that the authority would be looking to claim back the clean-up costs under confiscation laws from any individual ultimately found guilty at the end of its active inquiry.

She added that the recent detentions would help "move the probe forward" and permit the agency to "investigate more avenues to ascertain in detail what happened and who was involved".

"This unauthorized tip at the site was an atrocious and calculated attack on our natural surroundings and we share the local frustration at this egregious act," she remarked.

A senior representative praised the arrests, commenting: "This unlawful dumping of rubbish at this location is utterly appalling and has resulted in significant damage to the natural world and anguish to the nearby community.

"The government is pledged to eradicating this type of crime throughout the UK, by increasing financing to combat environmental crime, hiring more officers and enacting more severe controls and fines for those who flout the law."

The arrests were carried out on the specified day by agents from a specialist organised crime team and follow an earlier detention of a 39-year-old from the Surrey area in last November. He was let go pending more investigations.