Blackpool could adopt tougher fines for litter louts

Town hall chiefs today welcomed new powers which mean fines for dropping litter could increase from the current level of £80 to £150.
New powers will make it easier to fine people who throw litter out of their carNew powers will make it easier to fine people who throw litter out of their car
New powers will make it easier to fine people who throw litter out of their car

A tougher crackdown on litter louts also makes it easier to punish people who throw rubbish out of cars.

Councils will be able to fine the owner of the car in future instead of having to prove which occupant committed the offence.

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Blackpool Council, which launched a zero tolerance stance on litter bugs in 2016, welcomed the new powers handed out by government and said it would now consider them before deciding which to adopt.

Deputy leader Coun Gillian Campbell said: “As a council we are always looking at ways of reducing the amount of litter left on our streets.

“I know from talking to local residents and businesses that it is a big issue for them and there is simply no excuse.

“I’m sure I’m not the only person that has been infuriated when rubbish has been thrown out of the window of the car in front. It’s disgusting and hopefully these new powers will make it a thing of the past.

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“We welcome anything that will help us in our war against litter bugs.”

A one year contract with civil enforcement company 3GS Environmental Enforcement Solutions to hand out on-the-spot fines in Blackpool ended last October.

The council’s own staff have taken over the role and since October they have issued 204 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for littering.

There are two dedicated waste enforcement officers and another 12 officers that have the authority to issue FPNs.

Collecting litter costs councils nationally an estimated £680m a year.