A 39-year-old man from the Guildford area has been arrested in connection with a significant illegal waste dumping incident in Kidlington, Oxfordshire. The arrest occurred on Tuesday, following a collaborative investigation by the Environment Agency (EA) and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit. The EA had previously declared the site, which features a towering 40ft-high mound of waste, a "critical incident". Anna Burns, the EA's area director for the Thames, expressed concern over the situation, stating, "The appalling illegal waste dump... has rightly provoked outrage over the potential consequences for the community and environment." The investigation began after the EA responded to reports of waste tipping on 2 July, issuing a cease-and-desist letter to halt further dumping. However, continued illegal activity led to a court order being granted on 23 October, which has since prevented any additional waste from being deposited at the site. Phil Davies, head of the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, confirmed that the EA is working closely with law enforcement partners to identify those responsible for the illegal dumping. He stated, "A number of active lines of investigation are being pursued by specialist officers." The EA has also taken steps to protect the local environment, conducting assessments of potential risks to the River Cherwell. As part of their efforts, large sandbags are being installed as a barrier between the waste pile and the river, and the site is being secured with Heras fencing to prevent public access. The EA has urged the public to avoid the site, which remains an active crime scene, and has requested that individuals refrain from speculating about other potential suspects. As the investigation continues, the EA is committed to keeping the community informed through regular updates on social media and other platforms. Any information regarding the incident can be reported to the EA's 24-hour incident hotline or anonymously via CrimeStoppers.