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New environment protection team to target litter louts with £150 penalties

Bins, Waste and Recycling
08:53, Wednesday, 29th July 2020

Litter louts and dog foulers across North Lincolnshire could face fixed penalty notices of £150 as the council introduces a new environment protection team.

The new patrols will operate across the county, with the move coming in response to residents voicing increasing concerns about litter.

Under the scheme anyone over the age 12 caught dropping, throwing or depositing litter and leaving it on the ground will find themselves hit with a ticket.

North Lincolnshire Council currently spends almost £1m of taxpayers’ cash every year cleaning up after other people. This keeps the streets across the county clean and tidy to ensure people are kept safe and well.

There are around 3,000 bins across North Lincolnshire. The council is responsible for around 1,500 as well as 540 dog waste bins while hundreds of others are available in towns and parishes across the area. They are located across the area in towns and villages, in rural areas in and around popular walking and cycling routes and at beauty spots and local nature reserves.

These are routinely emptied by the council, parish councils and private business. Many, such as Scunthorpe’s High Street, are emptied several times each day.

Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said:

“Littering is unacceptable and dog fouling is a health hazard and is toxic, particularly to children. It is antisocial behaviour and we should make no apologies for the people who drop their waste on the ground for someone else to collect.

“There is no excuse for this behaviour under any circumstances, let alone when we have such a comprehensive network of bins which are routinely emptied.”

Cllr John Davison, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Ashby, Scunthorpe and Bottesford, said:

“We know most people act responsibly and care about the environment. Most people don’t want to see the region’s beauty spots blighted. We also know some people don’t care about protecting the environment, though they might think twice if they know they can be hit with a £150 bill.

“Enforcement is not our first choice and my hope is that not a single fixed penalty notice need be issued – that will be the case if everyone places their waste in one of the many bins available. If the bin is full or there is not one nearby they can take their litter home with them.”