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A pair of individuals have been detained as an element of an probe into the dumping of several thousand of metric tons of waste in a open field in the county of Oxfordshire.

Officials stated that a man in his late sixties was apprehended at a dwelling in Andover, Hampshire, while a man in his fifties was detained in Slough, Berkshire in relation with the enormous heap of waste tipped near Kidlington, Oxfordshire.

These detentions follow a prior report which exposed the presence of over 500 unlawful sites throughout England, including at least 11 so-called "super sites" bigger than 20,000 tons.

A official for the environment body commented that the apprehensions were for environment-related and proceeds of crime crimes and represented a "vital step" in continuing probes. The apprehended men have been released on conditional release.

Scale of the Issue

The tipping ground in Kidlington, situated between the River Cherwell and the A34, is believed to contain around 21,000 metric tons of rubbish in a mound which is up to 150m (490ft) lengthwise and 6m (20ft) tall.

This mound of garbage is consists of what seems to be treated residential waste, shredded plastic items, expanded polystyrene, tyres and assorted everyday objects.

It is just one of 517 unlawful sites across England, at a minimum of 11 of which hold more than 20,000 metric tons of rubbish. These encompass a 280,000-tonne area in Cheshire, two 50,000-tonne locations in Lancashire and Cornwall and a 36,000-tonne site in Kent.

The total figure of such bigger dumps is expected to be larger, as the environmental agency has in the past acknowledged it does not possess information on weight for all unauthorized site.

Most such locations are in agricultural locations, frequently hidden, and on land that is zoned as farm ground.

Organised Activity

Police state numerous are run by organized crime groups, who are earning money by charging significantly less than legitimate companies to receive and dispose of rubbish.

Firms have to pay disposal fees to use licensed disposal sites, depending on the quantity and type of material they are trying to get rid of, and a disposal levy is also levied at just over £126 per tonne.

Public Outrage

Initial efforts to clean up the affected location started earlier this month amid worries over the potential of combustion and the impact that would have on the adjacent A-road.

A contracted waste removal company has been awarded the task to remediate the area over the next 12 months at a expense of £9.6m.

An investigations manager for the country's environment team commented that the authority would be aiming to recoup the remediation funds under confiscation legislation from any individual convicted at the end of its ongoing inquiry.

She noted that this week's apprehensions would help "move the inquiry forward" and enable the agency to "investigate more leads to understand in detail what happened and who was a party to it".

"The unauthorized tip at Kidlington was an appalling and deliberate affront on our ecology and we understand the public's anger at this horrific act," she stated.

A cabinet representative praised the actions, stating: "This unauthorized dumping of rubbish at this location is utterly appalling and has caused significant damage to the environment and distress to the surrounding residents.

"Our administration is dedicated to eliminating this type of illegal activity across the country, by boosting resources to tackle environmental crime, hiring more staff and enacting tougher controls and sanctions for those who violate the law."

The arrests were made on a recent Thursday by personnel from a specialist serious crime unit and follow an prior arrest of a 39-year-old from the Guildford area in November. He was set free pending more investigations.