Enforcement and Prosecution Policy

Closed 27 Sep 2021

Opened 16 Aug 2021

Feedback updated 30 Jun 2022

We asked

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is reviewing its Enforcement and Sanctions Policy (ESP), which will make how it tackles environmental crime in all its forms easier to understand and more accessible to the public.

Our current policy on Enforcement and Prosecution was approved and published in March 2013. We recently established an internal expert group, including legal representatives, to run a review of this policy and its associated guidance.

Our revised ESP does not change our approach to enforcement. Principally, we engage with operators, individuals, and businesses, to educate and enable compliance or prevent harm; to put the environment first and to integrate good environmental practices into normal working methods.

Our review of this policy and associated guidance considers legislative changes for our core purpose, our new organisational structures, clarity on the use of civil sanctions (where we have those powers) and accessibility requirements, for publishing as a series of webpages.

Following the conclusion of the public consultation exercise we will assess and publish all relevant and valid consultation responses.

Subject to approval by internal governance at Enforcement Subgroup and Regulatory Business Board, our revised Enforcement and Prosecution Policy will then be published on our website.

You said

We received 26 responses to the consultation from a wide range of people and companies including representatives of Angling clubs, rivers trusts, woodland trusts, a community councillor and community groups, Charites, The Farmers Union of Wales, RSPB Cymru, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and a number of Ltd Companies.

Overall, the respondents supported the new Enforcement and Sanctions Policy and wanted to see NRW take enforcement action against environmental crime, and in particular river pollution, illegal fishing, damage to nature and fly tipping.

Many of the responses were concerned with our incident attendance and response siting particular instances where they had first-hand knowledge or were dissatisfied with NRW actions in that individual case.

Some responders whilst critical of NRW acknowledged that NRW is faced with a resource shortage / lack of boots on ground and that there was little point in having a ESP without the staff or resource to implement it.

The comments raised about resource and incident response whilst not forming part of this consultation will be fed back to our regulatory business board and may be used in future discussions with WG.

We did

We intend to:

Publish the revised ESP

Review each response and provide a detailed report for our Regulatory business board

Share the responses with the relevant parts of the business i.e. Incident response

The following redacted document (annex 1) captures the themes of the responses we received in relation to this consultation.

Overview

Our policy on Enforcement and Prosecution was approved and published in March 2013.

We recently established an internal expert group, including legal representatives, to run a review of this policy and the associated guidance.

Our revised policy and guidance do not change our approach to enforcement.  Principally, we engage with operators, individuals and businesses, to educate and enable compliance or prevent harm; to put the environment first and to integrate good environmental practices into normal working methods.

If these individuals or businesses do not comply, we normally provide advice and guidance to help them do so with agreed solutions and timescales for making any improvements. Where we suspect an offence has occurred, we apply the full range of proportionate formal enforcement powers and sanctions.

Our review of this policy and associated guidance considers legislative changes for our core purpose, our new organisational structures, clarity on the use of civil sanctions (where we have those powers) and accessibility requirements, for publishing as a series of webpages.

By using individual annexes for each sanction, it provides a clear process on how to deliver that sanction.

Following the conclusion of the public consultation exercise we will assess and publish all relevant and valid consultation responses.

Subject to approval by internal governance at Enforcement Subgroup and Regulatory Business Board, our revised Enforcement and Prosecution Policy will then be published on our website.

Draft Enforcement and Prosecution Policy

Draft Annex 1

Draft Annex 2

Draft Annex 3

Areas

  • Aber Valley
  • Aber-craf
  • Aberaeron
  • Aberaman North
  • Aberaman South
  • Aberavon
  • Aberbargoed
  • Abercarn
  • Abercynon
  • Aberdare East
  • Aberdare West/Llwydcoed
  • Aberdaron
  • Aberdovey
  • Aberdulais
  • Abererch
  • Abergele Pensarn
  • Abergwili
  • Aberkenfig
  • Abermaw
  • Aberporth
  • Abersoch
  • Abersychan
  • Aberteifi/Cardigan-Mwldan
  • Aberteifi/Cardigan-Rhyd-y-Fuwch
  • Aberteifi/Cardigan-Teifi
  • Abertillery
  • Aberystwyth Bronglais
  • Aberystwyth Canol/Central
  • Aberystwyth Gogledd/North
  • Aberystwyth Penparcau
  • Aberystwyth Rheidol
  • Acton
  • Adamsdown
  • Aethwy
  • Allt-wen
  • Allt-yr-yn
  • Alway
  • Ammanford
  • Amroth
  • Argoed
  • Arllechwedd
  • Aston
  • Badminton
  • Bagillt East
  • Bagillt West
  • Baglan
  • Bala
  • Banwy
  • Bargoed
  • Baruc
  • Beaufort
  • Beddau
  • Bedlinog
  • Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen
  • Beechwood
  • Beguildy
  • Berriew
  • Bethel
  • Bettws
  • Betws
  • Betws yn Rhos
  • Betws-y-Coed
  • Beulah
  • Bigyn
  • Bishopston
  • Blackmill
  • Blackwood
  • Blaen Hafren
  • Blaenavon
  • Blaengarw
  • Blaengwrach
  • Blaina
  • Bodelwyddan
  • Bontnewydd
  • Bonymaen
  • Borras Park
  • Borth
  • Botwnnog
  • Bowydd and Rhiw
  • Brackla
  • Brithdir and Llanfachreth/Ganllwyd/Llanelltyd
  • Briton Ferry East
  • Briton Ferry West
  • Bro Aberffraw
  • Bro Rhosyr
  • Bronington
  • Bronllys
  • Broughton North East
  • Broughton South
  • Brymbo
  • Bryn
  • Bryn and Cwmavon
  • Bryn Cefn
  • Bryn-coch North
  • Bryn-coch South
  • Bryn-crug/Llanfihangel
  • Bryncethin
  • Bryncoch
  • Brynford
  • Brynmawr
  • Brynna
  • Bryntirion, Laleston and Merthyr Mawr
  • Brynwern
  • Brynyffynnon
  • Buckley Bistre East
  • Buckley Bistre West
  • Buckley Mountain
  • Buckley Pentrobin
  • Builth
  • Burry Port
  • Burton
  • Butetown
  • Buttrills
  • Bwlch
  • Bynea
  • Cadnant
  • Cadoc
  • Cadoxton
  • Caerau
  • Caergwrle
  • Caergybi
  • Caerhun
  • Caerleon
  • Caersws
  • Caerwent
  • Caerwys
  • Caldicot Castle
  • Camrose
  • Canolbarth Môn
  • Canton
  • Cantref
  • Capel Dewi
  • Capelulo
  • Carew
  • Carmarthen Town North
  • Carmarthen Town South
  • Carmarthen Town West
  • Cartrefle
  • Castle
  • Castleland
  • Cathays
  • Cefn
  • Cefn Cribwr
  • Cefn Fforest
  • Cefn Glas
  • Cenarth
  • Ceulanamaesmawr
  • Chirk North
  • Chirk South
  • Church Village
  • Churchstoke
  • Cilcain
  • Cilfynydd
  • Cilgerran
  • Ciliau Aeron
  • Cilycwm
  • Cimla
  • Clydach
  • Clydau
  • Clynnog
  • Cockett
  • Coed Eva
  • Coedffranc Central
  • Coedffranc North
  • Coedffranc West
  • Coedpoeth
  • Coity
  • Colwyn
  • Connah's Quay Central
  • Connah's Quay Golftyn
  • Connah's Quay South
  • Connah's Quay Wepre
  • Conwy
  • Cornelly
  • Cornerswell
  • Corris/Mawddwy
  • Corwen
  • Court
  • Cowbridge
  • Coychurch Lower
  • Craig-y-Don
  • Creigiau/St. Fagans
  • Criccieth
  • Crickhowell
  • Croesonen
  • Croesyceiliog North
  • Croesyceiliog South
  • Crosskeys
  • Crucorney
  • Crumlin
  • Crwst
  • Crymych
  • Crynant
  • Cwm
  • Cwm Clydach
  • Cwm-twrch
  • Cwm-y-Glo
  • Cwmbach
  • Cwmbwrla
  • Cwmllynfell
  • Cwmtillery
  • Cwmyniscoy
  • Cyfarthfa
  • Cymmer
  • Cyncoed
  • Cynwyl Elfed
  • Cynwyl Gaeo
  • Dafen
  • Darren Valley
  • Deganwy
  • Deiniol
  • Deiniolen
  • Denbigh Central
  • Denbigh Lower
  • Denbigh Upper/Henllan
  • Devauden
  • Dewi
  • Dewstow
  • Diffwys and Maenofferen
  • Dinas Cross
  • Dinas Powys
  • Disserth and Trecoed
  • Dixton with Osbaston
  • Dolbenmaen
  • Dolforwyn
  • Dolgellau North
  • Dolgellau South
  • Dowlais
  • Drybridge
  • Dunvant
  • Dyfan
  • Dyffryn
  • Dyffryn Ardudwy
  • Dyffryn Ceiriog/Ceiriog Valley
  • Dyserth
  • East Williamston
  • Ebbw Vale North
  • Ebbw Vale South
  • Efail-newydd/Buan
  • Efenechtyd
  • Eglwysbach
  • Eirias
  • Elli
  • Ely
  • Erddig
  • Esclusham
  • Ewloe
  • Faenor
  • Fairwater
  • Fairwood
  • Felin-fâch
  • Felindre
  • Felinfoel
  • Ferndale
  • Ffynnongroyw
  • Fishguard North East
  • Fishguard North West
  • Flint Castle
  • Flint Coleshill
  • Flint Oakenholt
  • Flint Trelawny
  • Forden
  • Gabalfa
  • Gaer
  • Garden Village
  • Garnant
  • Garth
  • Gele
  • Georgetown
  • Gerlan
  • Gibbonsdown
  • Gilfach
  • Gilfach Goch
  • Glanamman
  • Glantwymyn
  • Glanymor
  • Glasbury
  • Glyder
  • Glyn
  • Glyncoch
  • Glyncorrwg
  • Glynneath
  • Godre'r graig
  • Goetre Fawr
  • Gogarth
  • Goodwick
  • Gorseinon
  • Gorslas
  • Gower
  • Gowerton
  • Graig
  • Grangetown
  • Green Lane
  • Greenfield
  • Greenmeadow
  • Gresford East and West
  • Groeslon
  • Grofield
  • Gronant
  • Grosvenor
  • Guilsfield
  • Gurnos
  • Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen
  • Gwenfro
  • Gwernaffield
  • Gwernyfed
  • Gwernymynydd
  • Gwersyllt East and South
  • Gwersyllt North
  • Gwersyllt West
  • Gwynfi
  • Halkyn
  • Harlech
  • Haverfordwest: Castle
  • Haverfordwest: Garth
  • Haverfordwest: Portfield
  • Haverfordwest: Prendergast
  • Haverfordwest: Priory
  • Hawarden
  • Hawthorn
  • Hay
  • Heath
  • Hendre
  • Hendy
  • Hengoed
  • Hermitage
  • Higher Kinnerton
  • Hirael
  • Hirwaun
  • Holt
  • Holywell Central
  • Holywell East
  • Holywell West
  • Hope
  • Hundleton
  • Illtyd
  • Johnston
  • Johnstown
  • Kerry
  • Kidwelly
  • Kilgetty/Begelly
  • Killay North
  • Killay South
  • Kingsbridge
  • Kinmel Bay
  • Knighton
  • Lampeter
  • Lampeter Velfrey
  • Lamphey
  • Landore
  • Langstone
  • Lansdown
  • Larkfield
  • Laugharne Township
  • Leeswood
  • Letterston
  • Lisvane
  • Liswerry
  • Litchard
  • Little Acton
  • Llanaelhaearn
  • Llanafanfawr
  • Llanarmon-yn-Ial/Llandegla
  • Llanarth
  • Llanbadarn Fawr
  • Llanbadarn Fawr-Padarn
  • Llanbadarn Fawr-Sulien
  • Llanbadoc
  • Llanbedr
  • Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd/Llangynhafal
  • Llanbedrog
  • Llanberis
  • Llanboidy
  • Llanbradach
  • Llanbrynmair
  • Llandaff
  • Llandaff North
  • Llanddarog
  • Llandderfel
  • Llanddulas
  • Llandeilo
  • Llandinam
  • Llandough
  • Llandovery
  • Llandow/Ewenny
  • Llandrillo
  • Llandrillo yn Rhos
  • Llandrindod East/Llandrindod West
  • Llandrindod North
  • Llandrindod South
  • Llandrinio
  • Llandybie
  • Llandyfriog
  • Llandyrnog
  • Llandysilio
  • Llandysilio-gogo
  • Llandysul Town
  • Llanegwad
  • Llanelly Hill
  • Llanelwedd
  • Llanengan
  • Llanfair Caereinion
  • Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd/Gwyddelwern
  • Llanfarian
  • Llanfihangel
  • Llanfihangel Aberbythych
  • Llanfihangel Ystrad
  • Llanfihangel-ar-Arth
  • Llanfoist Fawr
  • Llanfyllin
  • Llanfynydd
  • Llangadog
  • Llangattock
  • Llangeinor
  • Llangeitho
  • Llangeler
  • Llangelynin
  • Llangennech
  • Llangernyw
  • Llangewydd and Brynhyfryd
  • Llangollen
  • Llangollen Rural
  • Llangors
  • Llangunllo
  • Llangunnor
  • Llangwm
  • Llangybi
  • Llangybi Fawr
  • Llangyfelach
  • Llangyndeyrn
  • Llangynidr
  • Llangynwyd
  • Llanharan
  • Llanharry
  • Llanhilleth
  • Llanidloes
  • Llanishen
  • Llanllyfni
  • Llannon
  • Llanover
  • Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant/Llansilin
  • Llanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch
  • Llanrhian
  • Llanrhystyd
  • Llanrug
  • Llanrumney
  • Llansamlet
  • Llansanffraid
  • Llansannan
  • Llansantffraed
  • Llansantffraid
  • Llansteffan
  • Llantarnam
  • Llantilio Crossenny
  • Llantrisant Town
  • Llantwit Fardre
  • Llantwit Major
  • Llanuwchllyn
  • Llanwddyn
  • Llanwenarth Ultra
  • Llanwenog
  • Llanwern
  • Llanwnda
  • Llanwrtyd Wells
  • Llanybydder
  • Llanyrafon East and Ponthir
  • Llanyrafon West
  • Llanyre
  • Llanystumdwy
  • Llay
  • Lledrod
  • Lliedi
  • Llifôn
  • Lligwy
  • Llwyn-y-pia
  • Llwynhendy
  • Llysfaen
  • Lower Brynamman
  • Lower Loughor
  • Machynlleth
  • Maenclochog
  • Maerdy
  • Maescar/Llywel
  • Maesteg East
  • Maesteg West
  • Maesycwmmer
  • Maesydre
  • Malpas
  • Mancot
  • Manorbier
  • Manordeilo and Salem
  • Marchog
  • Marchwiel
  • Mardy
  • Marford and Hoseley
  • Margam
  • Marl
  • Marshfield
  • Martletwy
  • Mawr
  • Mayals
  • Meifod
  • Melindwr
  • Menai (Bangor)
  • Menai (Caernarfon)
  • Merlin's Bridge
  • Merthyr Vale
  • Milford: Central
  • Milford: East
  • Milford: Hakin
  • Milford: Hubberston
  • Milford: North
  • Milford: West
  • Mill
  • Minera
  • Mitchel Troy
  • Mochdre
  • Mold Broncoed
  • Mold East
  • Mold South
  • Mold West
  • Montgomery
  • Morfa
  • Morfa Nefyn
  • Morgan Jones
  • Moriah
  • Morriston
  • Mostyn
  • Mountain Ash East
  • Mountain Ash West
  • Mynyddbach
  • Nant-y-moel
  • Nantmel
  • Nantyglo
  • Narberth
  • Narberth Rural
  • Neath East
  • Neath North
  • Neath South
  • Nefyn
  • Nelson
  • New Brighton
  • New Broughton
  • New Inn
  • New Quay
  • New Tredegar
  • Newbridge
  • Newcastle
  • Newport
  • Newton
  • Newtown Central
  • Newtown East
  • Newtown Llanllwchaiarn North
  • Newtown Llanllwchaiarn West
  • Newtown South
  • Neyland: East
  • Neyland: West
  • Northop
  • Northop Hall
  • Nottage
  • Offa
  • Ogmore Vale
  • Ogwen
  • Old Radnor
  • Oldcastle
  • Onllwyn
  • Overmonnow
  • Overton
  • Oystermouth
  • Pandy
  • Pant
  • Pant-yr-afon/Penmaenan
  • Panteg
  • Park
  • Peblig (Caernarfon)
  • Pelenna
  • Pembrey
  • Pembroke Dock: Central
  • Pembroke Dock: Llanion
  • Pembroke Dock: Market
  • Pembroke Dock: Pennar
  • Pembroke: Monkton
  • Pembroke: St. Mary North
  • Pembroke: St. Mary South
  • Pembroke: St. Michael
  • Pen-parc
  • Pen-y-fai
  • Pen-y-graig
  • Pen-y-waun
  • Penally
  • Penbryn
  • Penclawdd
  • Penderry
  • Pendre
  • Pengam
  • Penisarwaun
  • Penllergaer
  • Penmaen
  • Pennard
  • Penprysg
  • Penrhiwceiber
  • Penrhyn
  • Penrhyndeudraeth
  • Pensarn
  • Pentir
  • Pentre
  • Pentre Mawr
  • Pentwyn
  • Pentyrch
  • Penycae
  • Penycae and Ruabon South
  • Penydarren
  • Penyffordd
  • Penygroes
  • Penylan
  • Penyrheol
  • Peterston-super-Ely
  • Pillgwenlly
  • Plas Madoc
  • Plasnewydd
  • Plymouth
  • Ponciau
  • Pont-y-clun
  • Pontamman
  • Pontardawe
  • Pontardulais
  • Pontllanfraith
  • Pontlottyn
  • Pontnewydd
  • Pontnewynydd
  • Pontprennau/Old St. Mellons
  • Pontyberem
  • Pontycymmer
  • Pontypool
  • Pontypridd Town
  • Port Talbot
  • Porth
  • Porthcawl East Central
  • Porthcawl West Central
  • Porthmadog East
  • Porthmadog West
  • Porthmadog-Tremadog
  • Portskewett
  • Prestatyn Central
  • Prestatyn East
  • Prestatyn Meliden
  • Prestatyn North
  • Prestatyn South West
  • Presteigne
  • Priory
  • Pwllheli North
  • Pwllheli South
  • Pyle
  • Quarter Bach
  • Queensferry
  • Queensway
  • Radyr
  • Raglan
  • Rassau
  • Resolven
  • Rest Bay
  • Rhayader
  • Rhigos
  • Rhiw
  • Rhiwbina
  • Rhiwcynon
  • Rhondda
  • Rhoose
  • Rhos
  • Rhosnesni
  • Rhuddlan
  • Rhydfelen Central/Ilan
  • Rhyl East
  • Rhyl South
  • Rhyl South East
  • Rhyl South West
  • Rhyl West
  • Ringland
  • Risca East
  • Risca West
  • Riverside
  • Rogerstone
  • Rogiet
  • Rossett
  • Ruabon
  • Rudbaxton
  • Rumney
  • Ruthin
  • Saltney Mold Junction
  • Saltney Stonebridge
  • Sandfields East
  • Sandfields West
  • Sarn
  • Saron
  • Saundersfoot
  • Scleddau
  • Sealand
  • Seiont
  • Seiriol
  • Seven Sisters
  • Severn
  • Shaftesbury
  • Shirenewton
  • Shotton East
  • Shotton Higher
  • Shotton West
  • Sirhowy
  • Six Bells
  • Sketty
  • Smithfield
  • Snatchwood
  • Solva
  • Splott
  • St. Arvans
  • St. Asaph East
  • St. Asaph West
  • St. Athan
  • St. Augustine's
  • St. Bride's Major
  • St. Cadocs and Penygarn
  • St. Cattwg
  • St. Christopher's
  • St. Clears
  • St. David Within
  • St. David's
  • St. Dials
  • St. Dogmaels
  • St. Ishmael
  • St. Ishmael's
  • St. James
  • St. John
  • St. Julians
  • St. Kingsmark
  • St. Martins
  • St. Mary
  • St. Mary's
  • St. Thomas
  • Stansty
  • Stanwell
  • Stow Hill
  • Sully
  • Swiss Valley
  • Taffs Well
  • Tai-bach
  • Talbot Green
  • Talgarth
  • Talybolion
  • Talybont-on-Usk
  • Talysarn
  • Tawe-Uchaf
  • Teigl
  • Tenby: North
  • Tenby: South
  • The Elms
  • The Havens
  • Thornwell
  • Tirymynach
  • Ton-teg
  • Tonna
  • Tonypandy
  • Tonyrefail East
  • Tonyrefail West
  • Town
  • Townhill
  • Towyn
  • Trallwng
  • Trawsfynydd
  • Trealaw
  • Trebanos
  • Tredegar Central and West
  • Tredegar Park
  • Trefeurig
  • Trefnant
  • Treforest
  • Trefriw
  • Tregaron
  • Tregarth & Mynydd Llandygai
  • Treharris
  • Treherbert
  • Trelawnyd and Gwaenysgor
  • Trelech
  • Trellech United
  • Tremeirchion
  • Treorchy
  • Treuddyn
  • Trevethin
  • Trewern
  • Trimsaran
  • Troedyraur
  • Trowbridge
  • Tudno
  • Tudweiliog
  • Two Locks
  • Twrcelyn
  • Twyn Carno
  • Tycroes
  • Tyisha
  • Tylorstown
  • Tyn-y-nant
  • Tywyn
  • Uplands
  • Upper Cwmbran
  • Upper Loughor
  • Usk
  • Uwch Conwy
  • Uwchaled
  • Vaynor
  • Victoria
  • Wainfelin
  • Waunfawr
  • Welshpool Castle
  • Welshpool Gungrog
  • Welshpool Llanerchyddol
  • Wenvoe
  • West Cross
  • West End
  • Whitchurch and Tongwynlais
  • Whitegate
  • Whitford
  • Whitland
  • Wiston
  • Wyesham
  • Wynnstay
  • Y Felinheli
  • Ynys Gybi
  • Ynysawdre
  • Ynyscedwyn
  • Ynysddu
  • Ynyshir
  • Ynysybwl
  • Yscir
  • Ystalyfera
  • Ystrad
  • Ystrad Mynach
  • Ystradgynlais
  • Ystwyth

Audiences

  • Fly-fishing
  • Cockles
  • Newport Green and Safe Spaces
  • Flooding
  • Llifogydd
  • Community Volunteers
  • Gwirfoddolwyr Cymunedol
  • Management
  • marine developers
  • marine planners
  • South West Stakeholder group
  • citizens
  • water companies
  • NFU
  • DCWW
  • Anglers
  • Coal Authority
  • Educators
  • SoNaRR2020

Interests

  • Regulatory Voice