Selfish litter louts have been fined 1,846 times in the past year as part of North Lincolnshire Council’s crackdown on environmental crime.
Enforcement officers have issued the fixed penalty notices for everything from dropping litter to dog fouling and throwing rubbish from a vehicle.
More than 130 people ignored the fine – and ended up being dealt with at Doncaster Magistrates Court, where some of them ended up being slapped with a demand for £644 after costs and a victim surcharge were added in.
The year-long pilot scheme, working with partners LA Support, began in November 2020.
Litter fines are £150, reduced to £100 if paid within 28 days.
More fines were issues in Scunthorpe than anywhere else, followed by Brigg, Barton and Broughton.
The highest number of payments – 117 – was made in October 2021, totalling more than £10,000.
The funds will be ploughed back into running the enforcement scheme, which has now been extended for another year.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Picking up other people’s rubbish costs us more than £1 million a year, which is why I am determined to make the litter louts pay.
“The council has just invested in dozens of brand new bins for town centres, roads and lay-bys across the region – there is simply no excuse for dropping litter.
“We also have an army of volunteer litter-pickers who give up their time to clean up their local communities so everyone can enjoy them – they deserve our thanks and support.
“If you can’t find a bin the answer is simple – take your rubbish home. If you don’t, we will fine you.
“And I would urge anyone who sees someone else dropping litter, chucking it out of a car or fly-tipping to record it on their phones and upload it to our online flytipping portal – we’ll do everything we can to track down the dumpers.”
