Kentish Express Ashford & District
Caught on camera: Litter squad ignoring rubbish
‘It sends a poor message – it seems only the cash matters’
A resident snapped this photograph of the litter squad ignoring rubbish in Ashford town centre.
The two enforcement officers were seen walking past a plastic bag dropped in the High Street.
The eyewitness said the pair had walked down from New Rents into the High Street and the bag was blowing across the ground directly in front of them.
He said: “A bin was around 6ft away but they ignored the bag and walked straight past it.
“I think it sends a very poor message about littering, seemingly only the cash matters.
“The idea appears to be a failure as litter is still visible around town.”
Ashford Borough Council (ABC) teamed up with Kingdom Local Authority Support Services last year to crack down on litter louts.
Officers can issue £75 on-thespot fines to people caught deliberately dropping litter or not clearing up after their dogs, with no reduction for early payment. When the scheme was launched, ABC said it was “not about making money” but was a way to make “Ashford a cleaner and tidier place”.
An ABC spokesman said: “Our Kingdom wardens are contracted to issue fines to those who deliberately drop litter in Ashford and Tenterden.
“We want to make it clear that it is not in their job description to pick up litter they come across whilst on patrol.
“Residents are reminded that they can do their bit to keep the borough clean by reporting environmental issues such as littering, fly-tipping and dog fouling to the council via the online Report It system.
“Visit www.ashford.gov.uk/ report to flag up a concern.”
What do you think? Should litter wardens set an example by picking up rubbish, or is it not their job? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@ thekmgroup.co.uk.