New litter enforcers to clean up streets

number of £75 fixed penalty notices handed out. The council has said the contract with Kingdom will be “resource positive”, indicating it hopes to generate cash from a huge increase in fines. It has been reported that in other areas Kingdom gets to keep £45 out of every £75 ticket it issues. A spokesperson for Kirklees Council said: “A new partnership comes in to place this week which mean residents are more likely to be fined if they breach public space protection orders around littering and dog control. “Whilst the council had had the ability to fine people in the past, a new partnership with private company Kingdom means that there is a greater chance of culprits being caught and fined. “The majority of the rules are already in force, but a new rule about ensuring you have a doggy bag or other means to dispose of dog fouling when you are out with a dog has also been created within the public space protection orders.”

People caught on camera will no longer have the option of a 50% discount for early repayment or total avoidance of the fine by attending a “Good Citizen” course.

Offences for which people can be fined include: littering, sale or repair of vehicles on the public highway, drinking alcohol in prohibited areas, urinating or defecating in public, distributing flyers inside Huddersfield ring road or Springwood car park, fly-posting, dog fouling and a range of other dog-related matters.

People who refuse to pay fixed penalties can be prosecuted in court, with fines escalating from £500 to £2,500.

Officers have no power of arrest but refusing to give your name and address is a criminal offence under the Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.