Environmental offences

A man and a woman walk through dense bushes, looking around.

Damaging the environment is a crime

  • Environmental offences are acts that damage and endanger the environment, natural resources and flora or fauna.
  • Environmental offences are covered by both the Criminal Code and specific environmental legislation. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent environmental pollution.
  • A typical environmental offence investigated by the police is unauthorised disposal or storage of waste.

Source: Poliisi.fi

Often, the motive for environmental offences is financial or other gain sought by the perpetrator.

Prevention of environmental offences and bringing perpetrators to justice has been found to be challenging.

The Ministry of the Environment – Environmental offences

What does environmental damage mean?

  • Environmental damage occurs when harmful or explosive substances are released, or are at risk of being released, into the soil, water, sewer or air.
  • Examples of environmental damage include oil spills, factory fires, chemical accidents and the fall, derailment or collision of a tank, a lorry or a train transporting hazardous substances.
  • Any environmental damage and risk of environmental damage should be reported to the emergency response centre by calling 112.
  • The emergency response centre estimates the extent of the damage and contacts the appropriate authorities.
  • The local rescue authority will initiate measures to prevent environmental damage.

Protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility.

Prevent environmental offences

The effects of environmental offences can often be seen only after a long time. Because of this, it’s important to intervene as soon as possible in acts that damage the environment. Everyone can help prevent environmental offences.

  • Report your observations to the municipal environmental authorities, the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre) or the Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI).
  • If you suspect a crime, report it to the area’s police department.

Source: Poliisi.fi

If you end up being in a bit of a situation and witness someone damaging the environment, call the emergency number 112.

Instructions on how to report an emergency

  1. Call the emergency number 112.

    Only call in urgent, genuine emergencies when someone’s life, health or property or the environment is under threat or in danger. If you use the 112 mobile app, remember to make the call through the app. This way, your location information will be forwarded to the emergency response centre automatically.

     

    You can also call the emergency number 112 using a foreign mobile phone subscription. Even then there’s no need to use a country or area code: just dial 112.

  2. You can also send a text message.

    If necessary, you can also report an emergency by sending an SMS to the number +358 112.

     

    The use of emergency SMS messages is primarily reserved for individuals who cannot hear or produce speech. An emergency text message can only be sent from a pre-registered phone number. A number can be pre-registered on the Suomi.fi website.

  3. Do not call or text the emergency number in the following cases:

    if the situation is not urgent, if you have general enquiries or want to ask a question or if you are reporting a disturbance where no one is in danger.

     

    Source: Suomi.fi

Take action for safety – download the 112 Suomi mobile app!

Through the app, you will receive public safety alerts and notices directly to your phone. The app also provides instructions on how to prepare for various disruptions. The instructions can also be read in the app when the network connection is down, that is, in offline mode.

Download the free 112 Suomi mobile app