BIGGER fines and more prosecutions are not stopping businesses committing environmental crimes, a report has shown.
The Environment Agency's fifth annual report on good and bad behaviour by companies across England and Wales shows that repeat offenders have failed to learn from previous convictions.
Barbara Young, chief executive of the Environment Agency, said: "Courts are getting tougher on environmental offenders, but fines are still small change for big business."
Ten companies were fined more than £50,000 in 2002, including Warrington-based United Utilities, which paid out £327,500 for various offences.
3C Waste Limited in Warrington was fined £17,000 in January last year for flouting three conditions of its waste management licence at Arpley landfill site.
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