Ashfield District Council are taking a zero tolerance approach to environmental crime as part of its new enforcement scheme.
A dedicated Environmental Enforcement team will be created by the council to further tackle littering and dog fouling across the district.
Ashfield council will also be working with WISE, a specialist private sector enforcement provider, on a 12 month trial where fixed penalty notices will be issued to those caught committing environmental crime.
The enforcement team will patrol town centres, parks, as well as other high footfall areas.
The scheme comes at no additional cost to the Council, and will actually see them generate money which they can invest back into the district.
Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Councillor Helen-Ann Smith, said:“The Council is committed to making Ashfield a cleaner and greener place to live.
“Environmental crime can adversely impact on the local environment and can also influence how attractive areas are to residents, workers, visitors, local businesses.
“We have been reviewing other councils who have been running new pilot schemes to see how our new team can hit the ground running, and make a positive impact on the District as quickly as possible.”
Those caught committing environmental crime will be issued a Fixed Penalty Notice which requires them to pay a £75 fine.
Councillor Smith added: “This zero tolerance approach should make residents think twice before they chose not to pick up after their dog, or drop litter.
“It could make for a very expensive coffee if you chose to dump your cup rather than take it home to put in the bin.
“We all have a responsibility to keep the District clean, and this new pilot will come down on those that think they can commit environmental crime and get away with it.”
By Laycie Beck
