Warning as 10 residents prosecuted for littering
COUNCIL SAYS ‘LITTERING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED’
HULL City Council is continuing to warn residents to dispose of their litter responsibly to avoid a substantial fine or prosecution. The warning comes after ten residents, who failed to pay fines issued by the council, were convicted in Hull Magistrates’ Court in March for littering in Beverley Road, Prospect Street, Hessle Road, Carr Lane, St George’s Road, Ferensway and Boulevard. All the offenders were given a criminal record and ordered to pay fines and costs totalling a combined £4,120. Doug Sharp, head of street cleansing and waste management at Hull City Council, said: “Despite residents being repeatedly asked to take their litter home or dispose of it responsibly, there are still individuals who think it’s acceptable to throw down litter. It makes the city look unsightly. “At Hull City Council we want to make it absolutely clear that littering will not be tolerated. We urge residents to always dispose of waste responsibly and in accordance with the law, to avoid being fined or prosecuted.” Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, makes it an offence for any person to throw down, drop or otherwise deposit and leave litter. Anyone seen littering faces receiving a £150 fine. If the fine is not paid the case is passed on to the council’s legal team and the courts for prosecution. Littering prosecution will result in a criminal record and a maximum fine of £2,500. According to Keep Britain Tidy, more than two million pieces of litter are dropped in the UK every day. This equates to an estimated street cleaning cost to the taxpayers of more than £1bn a year. To report people responsible for littering, visit Littering Hull, or call 01482 300 300. This includes littering from vehicles or businesses. Anyone issued with a fine for littering is urged to pay it to avoid prosecution. To pay a fine contact the council’s enforcement contractor LA Support Limited by visiting fpnpayment.com or call 0800 781 6229.