The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has partnered with Forensic Science Northern Ireland (FSNI) to tackle environmental crime.

People who process and dispose of rubbish illegally are not only breaking the law, they are putting the environment at serious risk.

The organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which cements existing partnerships and points to improved links in the future.

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NIEA Chief Executive, David Small said: "Forensic Science has world-class staff and cutting-edge facilities. This MoU builds on the connection between our two organisations - we have previously sought their expertise and submitted materials to their laboratory for examination. This is the next step of a building the relationship and looking at more ways of working together.

"Our own staff have been making great strides in combatting environmental crime. This agreement allow us to intensify those efforts through greater access to the outstanding resources of FSNI."

In collaboration, NIEA and FSNI will look to reduce crime and at the same time improve the environment.

(CD/MH)