Enforcement Team
Stamp out stubs on Fareham Streets
Litter
Have you ever thrown a sweet wrapper on the street thinking it won't matter because the Council will pick it up? Or thrown your chip remains in a hedge because the birds will eat them?
Litter is an eyesore and costs millions to clear up. It is also the main reason the rat population is rising so fast. The Council has decided to get tough on litter louts. So if you are out and about and you have litter - bin it.
As part of our policy on environmental crime, the enforcement team is now issuing a £50 fine which is known as a fixed penalty notice (FPN) for people who drop litter, including cigarette ends and chewing gum. Failure to pay will result in prosecution leading to a fine of up to £2500.
The Enforcement Team operate throughout the borough.
What is a fixed penalty notice? ;
Who can get fined? ;
Why are you doing this? ;
Where can people get fined? ;
Do offenders have to pay the
fine on the spot? ;
What happens if they
refuse to pay the fine? ;
Why do this now when litter has been a
problem for years? ;
Is Fareham the only
Council to fine people? ;
Under which legislation do
these powers fall? ;
What will you do with
the money collected from fines? ;
What
happens if there isn't a litter bin nearby? ;
Shouldn't
you educate people, not prosecute them? ;
Further Information ;
What is a fixed penalty notice?
A fixed penalty notice is an on the spot notice of £50 for dropping litter, including cigarette ends, wrappers, food and chewing gum. Failure to pay can lead to further sanctions, including fines of up to £2,500 for each offence.
Who can get fined?
Anyone from 16 years and above who drops litter in a public place, or a younger persistent offender.
Why are you doing this?
We want to achieve a litter free borough. The council wants to encourage local people and visitors to the borough not to drop litter and to keep the environment clean. If this means fining people, then this is something we must do. We want people to think twice before dropping litter.
Where can people get fined?
Any public place including recreation areas, roads, pavements, land belonging to hospitals, schools, colleges, car parks, almost anywhere in fact! The council intends to pay particular attention to areas where there have been littering problems in the past - including routes to and from secondary schools, outside shops and similar litter hotspots.
Do offenders have to pay the fine on the spot?
No, we will take their name and address and they will be handed a notice. They will then have 14 days to pay the fixed penalty fine.
What happens if they refuse to pay the fine?
Court action will be initiated, which can lead to a fine of up to £2,500.
Why do this now when litter has been a problem for years?
New legislation is now in place which means that the council has the authority to prosecute people for littering. The costs of providing a street cleansing service are rising all the time and we must use every means at our disposal to clean the borough and keep it clean for the benefit of all.
Is Fareham the only Council to fine people?
No, not all local authorities enforce litter but some other local authorities have Accredited Community Officers or Enforcement Officers who do.
Under which legislation do these powers fall?
The Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Highways Act 1980 and the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978. For all offences under these acts, penalties may be imposed by either the council or local magistrates' or crown court, ranging from a fixed penalty notice to a fine of up to £1,000 for non-payment of the fixed penalty.
What will you do with the money collected from fines?
Fines revenue will be used by the Council to further enhance the Enforcement Team.
What happens if there isn't a litter bin nearby?
There should be a litter bin within walking distance of most litter hotspots. If not please let us know. If there isn't a litter bin handy, please be a responsible citizen and take your litter home with you.
Shouldn't you educate people, not prosecute them?
We attend Neighbourhood Watch Meetings, undertake school visits and take part in Junior Citizen. We are doing all we can to get the message across to everyone. These litter enforcement fines are only a part of the measures we are using to help keep the borough clean. Signs are displayed all around the borough informing people about the fixed penalty notices and the consequences for anyone caught littering.
Further Information
If you would like to discuss any of the above or for further information may email us at regulatory@fareham.gov.uk or telephone us on 01329 236100.
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