Litter-drop prosecutions rise by 50%

05 December 2007

The amount of people paying for their littering habit has risen by almost half, according to latest government statistics.

The total number of fixed-penalty notices (FPNs) issued for littering has risen by 32% from 33,033 in 2005/6 to 43,624 in 2006/07. The figures show that the number of payments received from litterers has risen by 49% over the same period from 18,002 to 26,818.

However, these latest figures, based on information received from local authorities, show a further 6,704 FPNs were cancelled, and an additional 3,797 are currently awaiting court action.

Minister for local environment quality, Jonathan Shaw, said: ‘I’m encouraged to see that more local authorities are using the powers the Government has provided to penalise people who are ruining our streets with thoughtless offences such as littering. ‘But fixed-penalty notices are only effective if local authorities take steps to ensure they are paid – and, if they’re not, that effective action is taken at local level. ‘I’m pleased to see that this has followed through in the results, with an increase in payment rates, although there is still more to do.’

Manchester City Council issued the most FPNs, a total of 2,818, but more than one-quarter of these – 775 – were cancelled. The London Borough of Southwark collected the most money from litter FPNs, receiving a total of £103,435.

‘Yes, we’ve issued a significant number of fines,’ said a spokesman for Southwark. ‘But that’s because we’re serious about getting our streets cleaner – and it’s what our residents tell us they want. ‘All the money we collect from fines goes back into our enforcement activity – such as our education campaigns and monitoring equipment. We’re obliged by law to do this.’ In total, local authorities raised more than £1.43M through litter FPNs. Seventy-three authorities issued no FPNs at all, and around a further 50 returned no information.

In April last year, the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act clarified litter laws, allowing authorities to issue fines for the dropping of cigarette butts and chewing gum – and let them keep the revenue raised (Surveyor, 6 April 2006).

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