Fines increased to £150 to deter litter louts

The maximum penalty for littering in North West Leicestershire has been almost doubled to £150 in an effort to help keep the district green and tidy.

North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) has chosen to adopt the new regulations which give enforcement officers the power to hand out the increased fixed penalty fines for dropping litter and other similar offences. These include:

• Graffiti
• Fly-posting
• Unauthorised distribution of free material.

Drivers who allow rubbish to be thrown from their vehicles are also being warned they face the same penalties.

In February and March, the council’s street cleansing crews picked 12 tonnes of litter from verges and slip roads on a 15-mile stretch of the A42.

The new £150 penalties are in force immediately, which is reduced to £90 if paid within 10 days. Previously the fine for these offences was £80 which was reduced to £50 on early payment.

Councillor Alison Smith MBE, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community Services at NWLDC, said: “There is simply no excuse for littering and we all have a duty to take care of our beautiful district in the heart of the National Forest.

“Fining people for littering is a last resort for our officers but we are determined to protect the environment and have no qualms about penalising those that are caught.

“The message is to bin your rubbish or bag it up and take it home with you – and that includes if you’re travelling in a car.”

NWLDC has previously been awarded six Keep Britain Tidy Awards for its innovative approach to tackling litter and dog fouling. Through its Green Footprints priority, the council looks to find new ways to preserve and protect the environment around the district, which is based in the heart of the National Forest.

The public can help the fight against litter by reporting offenders online at www.nwleics.gov.uk/report