Environmental offenders face tough fines or legal action

Residents and businesses who fly-tip waste, drop litter or deface places with graffiti now face tougher financial penalties if they’re caught in the act – or at a later date if it can be proven that they’re the culprit.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has the ability to issue stiffer on-the-spot fines, of up to £1,000, for these environmental crimes to make offenders face stricter punishments and also to help prevent repeat incidents. The authority is raising awareness of its enforcement powers as summer begins – a time when offences, especially littering, can increase.

In a recent case, a £600 fixed penalty notice was issued to someone whose personal details were found among fly-tipped household waste dumped in Knutton. Even though the person had hired someone via social media to remove their rubbish for them, the duty of care lies with the resident – not the third party – to make sure that their waste is disposed of in a proper and legal manner.

Another person received a standard £200 fine after being caught dropping a cigarette butt on the ground and walking away. They said they “didn’t class this as littering”.

Fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping from a domestic property are set at £500, and £1,000 for a commercial business, while littering and graffiti offences attract a £200 fine for residents which rises to £500 for businesses.

Michelle Hopper, Mobile Multi-Functional Manager, said:

Improving the cleanliness of streets and public spaces is part of the Council’s priority to create healthy, active and safe communities. Fly-tipping, littering and graffiti makes a mess that affects our quality of life and can also damage nature and wildlife.

 

No-one likes fly-tippers, litter louts or those who vandalise areas with graffiti. We want to reinforce the message that those who intentionally or carelessly wreck their environment will be tackled vigorously by the Council who will seek to enforce in every possible case, whether it’s through a fixed penalty notice or even a criminal prosecution.”

Residents are being encouraged to think SCRAP, before employing or allowing anyone to remove their unwanted household waste, to ensure that the contractor is legitimate.

• Suspect all waste carriers and ask the questions you need to know before allowing them to remove anything.
• Check they’re registered on the Environment Agency's website and have a valid Waste Carrier's Licence.
• Refuse any unexpected offers to have your rubbish taken away.
• Ask what will happen to your rubbish – where will it go?
• Paperwork: receipts should show the name of the company and what they took.

The Council is responsible for clearing fly-tipping from the highway and council-owned land, but not private land, although it can investigate and take action against the offender. It also removes offensive or racist graffiti on council-owned land and property within one working day of it being reported.

Information and advice about fly-tipping, litter and graffiti, including how to report them, is available on the Council’s website.