BIG FINES FOR BEACH LITTER LOUTS
People dropping litter on Sunderland’s beaches could face fines of up to £2,500 as the council has joined forces with Northumbria Police to carry out regular patrols along Seaburn and Roker to tackle anti-social behaviour.
The council is clamping down on littering and dog control. From today, anyone caught dropping litter will face fines of £150, that could rise up to £2,500 if the fixed penalty notice is not paid and a court conviction follows.
People allowing their dogs to foul the beaches, or go onto parts of the beaches where dogs aren't allowed over the summer months, also face fines of up to £75, possibly rising to £1,000.
The council will also fine anyone caught drinking alcohol on the beaches or at the seafront who is in breach of its public spaces protection order.
Police say hot weather and the easing of COVID-19 restrictions has seen an increase in visitors to green spaces and coastal areas. But this has also seen pockets of disorder where groups of people have gathered to drink, and with other members of the public feeling intimidated.
Litter has been left strewn over parks and beaches while there have also been reports of criminal damage.
Councillor Michael Mordey, deputy leader of Sunderland City Council and cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "While we want everyone to enjoy our fantastic seafront, we are not prepared to tolerate people treating our beautiful beaches as rubbish bins or letting their dogs foul them or go onto parts of the beach where they aren't supposed to be.
"We've seen some horrendous pictures of litter strewn across our beaches during the recent hot weather. We can and will fine anyone who we catch dropping litter. Nor are we prepared to see people acting in an anti social way.
“This is not only illegal but it's also spoiling the beaches for everyone else which is why we are working closely with Northumbria Police to tackle this.”
Councillor James Doyle, who represents the Fulwell ward, said: "I hope it will be a deterrent. There hasn't been as much of a presence as some would have liked.
“This may have allowed people to do whatever they want and I hope that a larger police presence will reassure members of the public that this isn't the case.
"I also hope that officers will take action where necessary, in particular to the mass gathering of groups and the consumption of alcohol which breaches the public space protection order."
Assistant chief constable Scott Hal, of Northumbria Police, l said: “Everyone has a right to visit these areas and enjoy the warm weather but we all need to show a mutual respect for one another and for our local community.
“Some of the reports of anti-social behaviour by a small minority of people that we saw at the weekend was completely unacceptable.
“We are working closely with our partners and have put measures in place to try to nip this behaviour in the bud.
“I want to be clear, some of this offending constitutes a criminal offence and if it continues then those involved will face arrest and prosecution.”
I picked up around 107 from the same spot.
“I filled a black bin bag within the space of a minute, but felt like my efforts were pathetic compared to the amount of rubbish that was there.”
Ira explained that she doesn’t blame people for going to the beach, but urges them to take their rubbish away.
She added: “I understand people are going to come to the beach, they have been locked inside for two months and the weather has been lovely.
“I swim in the sea most days and I tend to pick up the odd piece of litter but this past week has been absolutely shocking. From what I could see, the bins along the seafront were not even full.”
It comes as Sunderland City Council posted a series of damning tweets on Saturday, about the amount of litter being left.
One tweet said: “You’ve been clapping for key workers for 10 weeks and then leaving your rubbish for them to pick up after you.”