The new enforcement measures introduced on 1st July to tackle environmental crimes has been a huge success in its first month, with 465 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN’s) issued across the Borough.
Authorised officers from District Enforcement (private environmental crime specialists), have been working under the direction of Fylde Council, patrolling any area of land that is open to public access, including areas such as town centres and environmental hotspots. The Environmental Crime Officers are specialists in their field, and Fylde Council has given clear and defined delegated powers with officers following current legislative guidelines and the local authority enforcement policy.
The officers from District Enforcement have been issuing FPN’s to anyone they observe, or have evidence to support, committing environmental crimes that damage the environment. The penalty notices that have been issued range from offences such as dropping litter or cigarette waste or failing to comply with a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for dog control.
The weekly breakdown for the penalty notices issued is as follows:
- Week 1: 73
- Week 2: 127
- Week 3: 93
- Week 4: 87
- Week 5: 85
The fine for littering is £100 (with an early payment discount of £80) and £100 for any dog related offence, payable to District Enforcement within 14 days. This gives an offender the opportunity to discharge their liability from being prosecuted by paying the FPN, however court proceedings will be initiated should the offender choose not to pay the FPN, with the maximum fine for littering being £2,500 and a potential conviction at a Magistrates Court.
Roger Small, Chair of the Operational Management Committee at Fylde Council said: “It is rather disappointing to have to point out the number of people fined for environmental offences, as this is probably just the tip of the iceberg. I would implore people not to drop or leave waste. There are ample waste bins about or alternatively take the waste home.
Similarly, if you have dogs please clean up after them. There is absolutely no excuse to leave dog mess particularly in parks or on the beach where people or children may be playing.
Lastly our amenity beach is there for families to enjoy the beach safely. Dogs are excluded from that section of beach for that very reason. There are huge expanses of beach where dog owners are welcome to go, but the amenity beach is closed to dogs during the season.
I would urge all our residents to think hard about protecting our environment.”
Further information with regards to the environmental enforcement process, including frequently asked questions are available on our website at: https://new.fylde.gov.uk/resident/bins-recycling-and-rubbish/district-enforcement-faqs
