IT’S RUBBISH
Late night litter bugs let off?
MAIDSTONE council is accused of targeting easy pickings in its quest to crackdown on town centre litter bugs.
Figures obtained by the KM under the Freedom of Information Act show of the 12,246 fines slapped on the public since the arrival of environmental officers, just 337 – one in 36 – were handed out at night when the town was full of revellers.
The other 11,845 were issued during daylight hours between 7am and 6pm.
Yet traders insist the town centre is frequently left looking like a tip overnight when they arrive for work in the mornings.
David Rayner, who owns the Wimpey in Gabriel’s Hill, said: “They disappear in the evenings. If they were to come here then would make a fortune, especially on a Friday or Saturday night.
“But they would need bodyguards. They don’t mind approaching individuals, but to try and approach someone who has had a few drinks would be above and beyond.”
Javid Ibraheem, who owns women’s fashion store First Avenue a few doors down, said: “I’ve come in around 7am before the litter’s cleaned up and it’s everywhere.
“If they’re trying to clamp down then it’s quite clear they need people here during the night.”
But the council denied environmental officers were focusing their energies on daytime shoppers and workers.
A spokesman said: “We enforce throughout the borough and at all times, and the town is always clean first thing every morning.
“The litter enforcement officers undertake late evening and weekend patrols.
“They work closely with the police and have patrolled with them on a number of occasions.
“This is something we are looking to do more of.”