FLY-TIPPERS will be snared by an army of high-tech drones as Britain takes the waste war into the skies.
The Environment Agency is rolling out 33 upgraded aircraft fitted with laser-mapping gear to spot dumpers in hiding.
Officers say the kit will help them swoop on illegal sites faster and gather courtroom-ready evidence from the air.
A new scanning tool will also flag suspicious lorry operators by cross-checking licence applications with waste permits – meaning dodgy firms could be stopped before they dump a single load.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: “This Government is aggressively pursuing waste criminals and bringing offenders to justice.
“By increasing the Environment Agency’s enforcement budget by over 50% to £15.6 million, we’re investing in cutting‑edge technology that allows us to shut down illegal operators faster and more effectively.”
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The Joint Unit for Waste Crime, now boosted to 20 specialists including ex-police officers, will use the intel to track organised gangs.
Waste crime is costing the economy roughly £1billion a year, according to the Environment Agency.
The new drones, soon to fire millions of laser points a second through LIDAR tech, will produce detailed maps exposing hidden piles of rubbish.
That tech has already helped officers assess a huge tyre dump in Norfolk that could not be safely inspected on foot.
Phil Davies, Head of the Joint Unit for Waste Crime Unit said: “Illegal waste dumping is appalling, and we are determined to turn the tide on this heinous crime.
“With organised criminals becoming ever more sophisticated, we are adopting new technologies to find and, importantly, stop them.
“Through the greater use of drones, stronger partnerships and more officers on the ground, we will build on our action so far and send a clear message to those committing waste crimes – we will stop you.”