Fylde's new-look litter enforcement brings results

As of Wednesday, July 1, a private specialist company is responsible for ‘proactive enforcement’ to tackle unacceptable behaviour and keep Fylde clean.

Fines of up to £100 for littering or any dog-related offence apply to fixed penalty notices issued by District Enforcement, working under the direction of Fylde Council, patrolling any area of land open to public access, including town centres and environmental hotspots.

As well as litter and dog fouling, the patrols cover the area of beach at St Annes, which is off limits to dogs between Good Friday and the end of September.

Figures issued by Fylde Council show that the 20 notices issued on the opening day of the new regime included 13 breaches of the dog exclusion zone, along with seven littering offences.

Last Thursday, the 29 notices included 27 for littering – 17 of them cigarette butts – and two breaches of the dog exclusion zone, while on Friday, the total was 24 – all littering of discarded cigarette butts.

The new measures are at no additional cost to the council. Under the arrangement, District Enforcement collects and retains the penalty notice revenue, with the council stressing its objective is not income generation but “to challenge inappropriate behaviour by a minority of people and to promote a clean, green borough”. Coun Roger Small, Fylde’s operational management committee chairman, said: “In the first few days we have been both surprised and disappointed at how many people have been caught dropping litter, discarding cigarette butts, allowing their dogs to foul without cleaning up after them, or letting dogs off leads in areas banned from that.

“Residents repeatedly tell us these are issues that cause most upset. District Enforcement will continue to focus their efforts on them. We urge residents and visitors alike to respect our environment.”

There were no enforcement staff on duty Saturday and Sunday but a Fylde Council spokesman said the officers’ hours will be tailored to the season, scheduled events and number of people out and about, working seven days, early am and later pm as required.