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Two individuals have been taken into custody as part of an investigation into the dumping of many thousands of tons of rubbish in a rural field in the county of Oxfordshire.

Authorities stated that a 69-year-old was apprehended at a dwelling in Andover, Hampshire, while a 54-year-old was detained in Slough in connection with the enormous heap of garbage deposited near Kidlington.

These detentions come after a recent revelation which uncovered the presence of more than 500 unlawful sites throughout the country of England, including at a minimum of 11 so-called "major sites" larger than 20,000 metric tons.

A representative for the environment agency commented that the apprehensions were for ecological and proceeds of crime offences and were a "key step" in ongoing inquiries. The two individuals have been let go on bail.

Scale of the Issue

The illegal site in near Kidlington, situated between the river Cherwell and the A34 highway, is estimated to house around 21,000 tonnes of rubbish in a heap which is up to 150m (490ft) lengthwise and 6m (20ft) high.

This mound of rubbish is consists of what looks to be processed domestic waste, shredded plastics, expanded polystyrene, tyres and assorted everyday articles.

It represents just a single of 517 illegal dumps throughout the country, at least 11 of which are estimated to hold more than 20,000 tons of waste. They feature a 280,000-tonne location in Cheshire, two 50,000-tonne areas in Lancashire and Cornwall and a 36,000-tonne tip in Kent.

The total number of such major locations is probably to be larger, as the regulatory agency has in the past indicated it does not maintain data on tonnage for all unlawful dump.

Most such locations are in countryside locations, typically out of sight, and on land that should be farm property.

Criminal Activity

Authorities report a significant number are managed by criminal organizations, who are earning cash by demanding far less than legitimate firms to receive and dispose of garbage.

Firms have to incur gate fees to use legitimate disposal sites, contingent on the volume and type of waste they are trying to discard, and a disposal levy is also applied at just over £126 per metric ton.

Public Frustration

Initial work to clear the Kidlington dump commenced in recent weeks amid concerns over the potential of fire and the impact that would have on the nearby highway.

A private clean-up company has been given the task to handle the area over the next 12 months period at a cost of £9.6m.

An compliance manager for the national environmental crime division commented that the body would be aiming to recover the clearance funds under proceeds of crime legislation from anyone ultimately prosecuted at the conclusion of its current inquiry.

She noted that these arrests would help "push the investigation forward" and allow authorities to "investigate more lines of inquiry to determine in detail what happened and who was a party to it".

"The unlawful tip at this location was an shocking and deliberate affront on our environment and the authorities share the community's frustration at this egregious act," she said.

A cabinet minister supported the arrests, stating: "The unlawful tipping of waste at Kidlington is utterly appalling and has caused substantial detriment to the natural world and upset to the nearby residents.

"The administration is dedicated to eradicating this category of crime throughout the nation, by augmenting financing to combat illegal dumping, employing more staff and enacting tougher checks and penalties for those who violate the regulations."

The detentions were made on Thursday by agents from a dedicated serious crime squad and come after an prior detention of a 39-year-old from the Surrey region in the autumn. He was released subject to further investigations.