Crackdown on litter louts with new £150 fines

Anyone caught littering in Bath and North East Somerset will now be slapped with a £150 fine by default. Until now, people who illegally dumped cigarette butts, chewing gum, crisp packets and other waste that damages the environment could sometimes get away with paying as little as £50. Bath and North East Somerset Council has now upped its fixed penalty notices - both to pedestrians and those in vehicles - to the maximum amount Government allows, or £100 if payments are made within 14 days. Income from the fines will go towards clearing litter and enforcement. The council is also looking at bringing in a private company to enhance the level of enforcement, but it expects this to happen at no additional cost. A council report says: “In common with all local authorities, our district suffers from littering incidents on foot and by individuals throwing litter from vehicles. “Litter includes items such as cigarette butts, chewing gum and crisp packets and can cause harm to the environment and can be hazardous to humans and wildlife. “This council is determined to reduce the level of littering by carrying out an awareness raising campaign to stress the harm caused by their anti-social behaviour, encouraging people to take personal responsibility for their waste, and also by making best use of the legislation available to us. “Where perpetrators of littering are identified, it is appropriate that they receive a penalty reflecting the damage to the environment, local community and the cost to the local authority. “The penalty should also act as a deterrent against future offending.” The previous default for fines was £100.