Council to get tough on the litter louts

Litterbugs will be hammered during a street cleaning crackdown, a councillor has warned.

Councillor Kenny MacLaren says anyone dropping rubbish in the street will face penalties of up to £80.

Fines handed out increased by two thirds last month – up to 45.

Councillor MacLaren, who represents the SNP in the Paisley North West ward, said:“The continued increase in the number of fixed penalty notices for litter highlight that action is at long last being taken to seriously tackle this issue.

“The council is promoting the Team Up to Clean Up campaign, encouraging residents and groups to look after their own areas and to educate them about having a cleaner environment for all.

“However, by itself this approach could have a limited effect, so increased enforcement will also help to change people’s attitudes to dropping.

“I am particularly pleased that a significant increase in the fines issued comes from the Paisley North area – which incorporates Paisley town centre.

“This has seen 29 fines for litter issued in this area out of the 45 across Renfrewshire.”

Renfrewshire Council has vowed to get tough on those dropping litter and fly-tipping.

Failure to pay a littering fine may result in prosection and an order to cough up £2,500.