As a local set of eyes and ears, if you witness or suspect a pollution event has taken place you must report it – the guide below sets out how you can report it and what can be done to ensure it doesn’t happen in the future. This information can also potentially determine how it is treated and mitigated. By informing the regulators about pollution incidents we are able to hold those responsible to account.
The regulators in each of the devolved nations in the UK have the same Pollution Incident Hotline available to report any incidents that may have an impact on coastal waters.
Before you call and report it is useful to gather as much evidence as possible to ensure that the case is well documented and the matter can be resolved and the culprits be held responsible.
- Make a note of what you saw
- What time was it?
- Where did you see it?
- Take a picture or film it
- Call the Pollution reporting hotline: 0800 80 70 60