Council takes action on environmental crime
Actions over the past three months have resulted in the Council issuing a number of warnings and notices to culprits for fly tipping, rubbish dumping, nuisance bonfires and dog fouling related offences under Environmental and Anti-Social Behaviour legislation, in a bid to tackle and educate persistent offenders.
Recent action includes a £100 fine being issued to a resident in Kirkby for failing to clear waste, a resident of Hucknall received a Community Protection Notice requiring them to clean up their garden and a fly-tip identified by Community Protection Officers in Teversal, resulted in a Chesterfield resident being prosecuted and received a fine of £780.
An individual from Barnsley received a fly tipping Fixed Penalty Notice for dumping waste in Ashfield, and a resident of Sutton was convicted for failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice after they did not remove waste from their property. A further resident of Kirkby received a £200 duty of care Fixed Penalty Notice for paying a friend to remove waste which was later fly tipped on a local park, and a resident of Sutton promptly paid a penalty notice of £60 for failing to pick up after their dog.
This month the Council’s Community Safety Team have been delivering town centre action days to clamp down and educate residents on environmental crime and anti-social behaviour across the District where a number of notices have been issued. Over the past three months the team have also taken forward closure orders, possession proceedings, community engagement events and youth diversionary programmes to help make the streets of Ashfield cleaner and safer for all.
Cllr Helen Smith – Deputy Leader and Executive Lead for Community Safety and Crime Reduction said:
“Environmental crime such as fly tipping and dog fouling blights our communities and we are determined to stamp it out. The Council has invested significantly in litter bins, delivering local initiatives such as the annual big spring clean and public engagement programmes in order to promote responsible behaviour towards environmental crime.
Fly Tipping is illegal, and we will continue to warn people to dispose of their waste responsibly and within the law. Not only does fly-tipping incur a cost to the Council to remove and dispose of waste, but it also uses resources which can be used for other essential services.”
Antonio Taylor, Community Safety Manager, Ashfield District Council added:
“Tackling environment crime and anti-social behaviour is a core priority for the Council. The Community Safety Team have been working exceptionally hard to secure positive results and make the District cleaner and safer for all. We will continue to take positive action and engage our communities to improve the District and promote responsible citizenship.”
