Hundreds of tickets issued in first month of Fylde enforcement scheme

A total of 465 fixed penalty notices were issued across the borough in July after the council brought in private environmental crime specialist District Enforcement to patrol the area and issue fines of up to £100.

In the first week after the introduction of the new scheme on July 1, 73 fixed penalty notices were issued, with 127 the following week, and weekly hauls following of 93, 87 and 85.

The notices issued ranged from offences such as dropping litter or cigarette waste to failing to comply with a Public Space Protection Order for dog control, which applies to the main area of ‘amenity beach’ at St Annes through the summer season.

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.

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.

The council says the scheme is at no cost to the council tax payer, with District Enforcement collecting and retaining any revenue from the fines to support the operation.

Coun Roger Small, chairman of Fylde Council’s operational management committee, 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.

“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.”

Emily Parr of Keep Britain Tidy said: “In recent months, we have witnessed unprecedented levels of littering and Keep Britain Tidy welcome any such scheme to tackle this scourge on our environment.

“The fines hold individuals accountable for their irresponsible behaviour, while deterring others.

“Fines alone are not a magic solution. But when combined with larger bins, educational signage, online campaigns, more litter picking patrols by the council and an army of volunteer beach cleaners positive steps can be made.

“Despite the summer holidays, our beach clean volunteers are reporting a slight decrease in the quantity of litter found on beaches compared to that of recent months, demonstrating the enforcement officers, combined with other measures, are beginning to create visible improvements throughout Fylde.”