Council taking zero tolerance approach to environmental crime in Ashfield

A new dedicated environmental enforcement team has been created to further tackle littering and dog fouling across the district.

The council is working with specialist private sector enforcement provider Waste Investigations Support & Enforcement (WISE) on a 12-month pilot that will see fixed penalty notices issued to those caught committing environmental crime.

The officers will patrol town centres, parks, green spaces and high footfall areas.

The announcement will be particularly welcomed by residents of Beardall Street in Hucknall, who have seen issues with fly-tipping on Beardall Street, resulting in the council’s community safety and environment teams visiting the area.

The teams identified waste issues within the area and positively engaged with residents to identify those responsible for fly tipping and rubbish dumping.

As a result, a number of individuals received Community Protection Warnings and Prevention of Damage by Pest Act Notices requiring them to clean up their waste within an agreed timescale, with ongoing inspections taking place over the coming weeks.

However, the council now wants to crack down on environmental crime and issues like fly tipping across the district.

Theresa Hodgkinson, director for place and communities said “The council is committed to making Ashfield a cleaner and greener place to live.

"Environmental crime can adversely impact on the local environment.

“This zero tolerance approach should make residents think twice before they chose not to pick up after their dog, or drop litter.

"It could make for a very expensive coffee if you chose to dump your cup rather than take it home to put in the bin.

"We all have a responsibility to keep the district clean, and this new pilot will come down on those that think they can commit environmental crime and get away with it.”

John Dunne, WISE managing director, added: “Our aim is to reduce environmental crime for the long term and patrol the area in an ‘intelligence led’ manner using geo fencing technology and focusing our controls on identified hotspots.”