Oxfordshire officers have taken possession of a van following accounts of illegal dumping in countryside areas.

Authorities report that their countryside crime unit has been carrying out patrols throughout the Thames Valley region in response to reported incidents.

One such report involved illegal waste disposal on a rural highway, resulting in the confiscation of a van, with the matter now under Environment Agency jurisdiction.

According to a representative, officers from the Rural Crime Taskforce have been conducting patrols throughout the Thames Valley this weekend, attending to multiple incidents including a report of illegal waste disposal.

This vehicle was observed by members of the public unloading its load onto a country road before departing the scene.

The illegal waste dump near Kidlington (Image: Tom Wren/SWNS)

The vehicle was found shortly afterwards and has been impounded under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The individuals inside will face proceedings through the Environment Agency for the violation.

Illegal waste disposal has emerged as a significant worry throughout Britain, with numerous large-scale dumps appearing across the country.

This includes the extensive refuse pile at Kidlington close to the A34, which is expected to require several months for removal with approximately 20,000 tonnes of refuse estimated to be at the location.

Under recently revealed proposals, those caught illegally dumping waste could be required to join clean-up teams to remove the mess in locations where they have unlawfully deposited refuse.

Local authorities would additionally be granted fresh authority to recover funds directly from illegal dumpers to finance clearing operations, according to the Environment Department.