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Search forBILLERICAY and WICKFORD: Cigarette litter bugs face £75 fines
Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 11:06
Wardens will step up patrols in 'hotspot' areas including Billericay and Wickford high streets after Basildon District Council chiefs gave the plans the go-ahead.
Councillors say discarded dog-ends cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds a year to clean up and the move dovetails with new litter fines introduced last month.
The fixed penalty notices will be dished out from January as part of a three-month drive to persuade people to stub out the problem.
Basildon council's cabinet member for the environment Cllr Terri Sargent said: "We will give smokers a period of grace to ensure they are aware of the campaign and understand they are breaking the law by dropping cigarette butts.
"However, from the start of the New Year our environmental enforcement officers will start to issue fines to people caught dumping their cigarettes in the street.
"We hope this will deter smokers from dropping litter and encourage them to dispose of their cigarettes responsibly."
The council will monitor the campaign's success by inspecting hotspots before and after the drive as well as targeting pubs, clubs, restaurants and offices to cut down on littering outside their premises.
Deputy leader of Basildon council Cllr Tony Ball said: "This is a benchmarking exercise to see how big the problem is. If people avoid paying they will be dragged through the courts, it's as simple as that."
At the end of the three months, the council will take stock of statistics to see how the scheme is going and whether or not to continue.
He said: "Clean streets are a top priority which is why we're running this campaign to keep our towns tidy.
"We will be raising awareness among local businesses and hope it makes people think twice before dropping their cigarette butts."
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