Overview
- On 19 November the Environment Agency convened Oxfordshire County Council, Thames Valley Police and National Highways, confirming its National Enforcement Crime Unit is leading the live investigation.
- Officials say water run-off is being monitored and fire and flood risks are being mitigated, and Sky News reported a containment boom has been installed to limit leakage toward the River Cherwell.
- The site was first attended on 2 July, a cease-and-desist was issued to the landowner, and a court order on 23 October shut the area, after which the agency says no further tipping occurred.
- The agency reiterates it is not the cleanup contractor, with MPs urging a ministerial directive and warning removal costs could exceed Cherwell District Council’s annual budget.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the scenes appalling, charities and local leaders warn of pollution and fire hazards, and investigators are examining potential organised-crime links and unverified reports of council-sourced waste.