City Litter Blitz

Media release 17 August 2006

Communications

Litter bugs are being targeted in Exeter as part of a campaign to make the city's streets cleaner and litter free.

In just one month, more than 70 £75 fixed penalty notices have been issued by the City Council's newly appointed Litter Enforcement Officers. Most people are paying up and the money is being used to finance the officers and keep Exeter clean and tidy. The Council spends £1 million a year on street cleansing.

The three Litter Enforcement Officers carry out daily patrols of the city. People caught dropping litter, including cigarette butts and chewing gum, or putting their refuse out too early for collection, face a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 (£75 for all offences listed, apart from putting refuse out too early for collection, which carries a fine of £100). If this notice is not paid then the Council will prosecute individuals and they could get a fine up to £2,500.

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, which came into force in April, gave local authorities extra powers to combat litter in terms of prevention and penalties. The Litter Enforcement Officers have been taken on to deal with litter bugs throughout Exeter.

Councillor Pete Edwards, Lead Councillor for Environment and Leisure, said: "This is sending out a strong message that we will not tolerate people who wilfully drop litter. We have taken on people's concerns and created these posts because we don't want people to spoil the environment for everyone else. One of the most common complaints we get as councillors is about litter. Many people who wouldn't dream of dropping litter are quite happy to throw down a cigarette butt, when it is just the same as tossing away a sweet wrapper.

"Exeter is a clean city but we would like to improve. By employing the new officers people should think twice about dropping litter or they run the risk of receiving a fine."

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