Over 250 enforcement notices issued as Ashfield District Council clamps down on environmental crime

Over 250 residents have been issued with enforcement notices as Ashfield District Council continues its crackdown on fly tipping, illegal dumping and dog fouling offences.

The Council has issued over 250 warnings and notices to culprits for fly tipping, rubbish dumping and dog fouling related offences in Ashfield under Environmental and Anti-Social Behaviour legislation in a bid to tackle environmental crime.

Recent action includes two residents of Ruffs Drive in Hucknall each receiving £200 fines for Duty of Care offences after they paid unauthorised people to remove their waste, and another resident received a £100 fine after being caught on CCTV failing to pick up after their dog on Alberta Avenue in Selston.

Over the past 12 months, the Council's Community Safety Team has prosecuted two residents through the courts, issued 24 Prevention of Damage by Pests Act Notices, 162 Community Protection Warnings and 47 Community Protection Notices, and served 54 Fixed Penalty Notices to residents for fly tipping, rubbish dumping and dog fouling related offences.

Councillor Helen-Ann Smith, Deputy Leader of Ashfield District Council 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 at Ashfield District Council added: "Reducing environment crime 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."