Six new environment officers focusing on water company regulation have begun work in the North East.

The Environment Agency (EA) staff will focus on increasing inspections, enforcement, and regulation.

This is part of the national Water Industry Regulation Transformation programme, which aims to recruit up to 500 new and experienced staff across the country.

The new recruits will help increase water company inspections to 4,000 by the end of March 2025, 10,000 in 2025/6, and 11,500 in 2026/27.

The EA is currently conducting the largest ever criminal investigation into potential widespread non-compliance by water and sewerage companies at thousands of sewage treatment works.

Rachael Caldwell, area environment manager for the North East, said: "We share the public’s frustration about the levels of sewage in our waterways.

"Water company performance is not good enough and we are committed to crack down on non-compliance.

“More boots on the ground is a significant element of how we are improving the way we regulate the water sector."

Rebecca Lee, one of the new recruits, said: "We are here to play our part in holding water companies to account if they don’t comply with environmental laws, providing stronger protection to the environment, communities, and nature."