TRAFFORD Council is winning the war against environmental crime with its tough stance against those who litter or dump waste.
The Council has just prosecuted its 100th offender since January at Manchester Magistrates Court. The offender was fined £220 with costs of £120 and a victim surcharge of £30 for a littering offence in the Stretford area.
On January 8 this year, officers from Kingdom Environmental Enforcement Service were engaged by the Council to carry out street patrols in the Old Trafford and Stretford areas.
They issue on-the-spot £80 fines to people caught dropping litter – including cigarette butts and chewing gum – and allowing their dogs to foul in public areas without cleaning up.
A key focus is also to target fly-tippers who persistently choose to blight the environment of local neighbourhoods. They are fined £200 or taken to court and prosecuted.
Since the initiative began, Kingdom has issued 1,677 £80 fixed penalty notices.
Councillor Stephen Adshead, Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality and Climate Change, said the Council would continue to target those who litter anfd fly tip.
He said: “The Council receive lots of complaints about litter and dog fouling and hopefully these fines will send a clear message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.
“There are a number of other cases that are being progressed through the Magistrates’ alongside a large number of fixed penalty notices that have been issued for this type of offence. We urge visitors and residents to put their litter and dog waste in a litter bin, or if there are no bins in the area to take their litter home with them”
Every year, Trafford Council spends substantial sums of taxpayers hard earned money cleaning up after those who refuse to be responsible, money that could be spent on other environmental priorities.
In addition, over a number of years the Council has promoted its successful #BeResponsible campaign working to educate local people and tackle the cause for concern at it cause and help to ensure rubbish isn’t thrown in the first place. This 12-month pilot scheme was introduced following conversations with community groups, residents and businesses who are fed up with people who dump waste and litter.
The scheme is self-financing with the costs of enforcement being met from the income from the fines. Any additional money generated from the fines is ring-fenced and invested in similar environmental schemes.
The Council is also asking visitors and residents to do their bit by reporting any incidents of waste being dumped. Descriptions of people, and any vehicle registrations, should be emailed to access.trafford@trafford.gov.uk.
The Council is involving, and working with, community groups to monitor the impact of the scheme. If successful, it could be extended to other parts of the borough. Kingdom wear Trafford Council uniforms and carry body cameras while on patrols, and identify themselves to the public.
Posted on Wednesday 3rd October 2018