Thanet District Council’s clampdown on litter bugs has resulted in 1,071 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) being issued for littering, spitting and dog fouling offences in the last six months.
The FPNs are part of the council’s zero tolerance approach.
The authority is also pushing for further penalties in the event of non-payment.
At Canterbury Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, May 1, 13 defendants were ordered to pay a total of £4,518 for littering offences.
Of the 13 cases brought before the magistrates, four pleaded guilty’ and were fined £147 with £120 costs and £30 victim surcharge.
Nine failed to attend and were found guilty in their absence and fined £220 with £120 costs and £30 victim surcharge.
People are taken to court when all warning letters have been ignored.
Cllr Rosanna Taylor-Smith, Cabinet Member for Operational Services (pictured), said:“We know that the majority of residents want our beautiful district to be kept as clean and welcoming as possible. There are many unsung heroes helping to keep the area clean and tidy so it’s only right that we take tough action against those who choose to litter, fly-tip or let their dogs foul in our communities.
“The fact that we’ve issued over 1,000 FPNs in the last six months reflects the hard work of our dedicated officers and our zero tolerance approach on environmental crimes.”
As well as ongoing enforcement activities, including the potential introduction of fines for vehicle owners who throw rubbish, Thanet council will soon be launching a community anti-litter campaign and its dedicated educational officer visits school to talk to pupils about disposing of litter responsibly and recycling.
Fined
The below did not attend and were found guilty in their absence
Jack Bailey – Dover Road, Walmer, Deal
Clare Benson – Victoria Road, Margate
Zdena Kunstarova – Newington Road, Ramsgate
Nick Robinson – Woodland Avenue, Sidcup
Philip Smith – Upper Approach Road, Broadstairs
Kamil Szorek – The Grove, Greenford
Jake Taplin – Portelet Road, Tower Hamlets
Mark Wimsett – Selwyn Court, St Peter’s Road, Broadstairs
The below pleaded guilty by post
Paul Bolton – Highfield Court, Highfield Road, Ramsgate
Timothy Bolton – Perkins Avenue, Margate
Brendan Hare – Percy Road, Ramsgate
The below attended and pleaded guilty.
Rebecca Hoyle – Brecon Square, Ramsgate
*One name has been removed from this list due to juvenile protection issues
Why not have zero tolerance on the beaches. leaving beer cans …used nappies .etc…..is also not acceptable but there is no enforcement ever seen , I know it would be impossible to cover such areas completely, but enforcement being seen around the beach areas especially at busy times, miight send out a message !
We need the litter officers to work weekends and bank holidays too, especially along the promenades and beaches during the summer months, littering doesn’t stop then, it just gets worse.
Cliftonville..Harold Road, half way down, flats with overseas tenants, two large skip bins always overflowing with crap. Nappies you name it…have to walk in the road to avoid. TDC ZERO TOLERANCE really…
Cllr Rosanna Taylor-Smith should drive around Thanet especially along the area by the business estate near st peters by the cabin cafe,this area has not be cleaned in years, Vans parked on pavement never seems to get moved judging by the amount of rubbish around them, St Peters Rd Margate always plenty of rubbish dumped along that road and Westbrook area I could go on but zero tolerance is not working
That good news for a start. I know there were a lot of people on Margate beach last weekend, but there was a lot of rubbish left as well. A mix of paper, bags, tins, glass bottles and of course brown nappies. No a good advert is it.