Environmental enforcement officers hit the streets

Plymouth City Council’s new environmental enforcement officers have hit the streets of the city.

Having teamed up with Kingdom Services Group last month, officers will today be on patrol for the very first time.

Tasked with preventing littering, dog fouling, fly-posting and fly-tipping, the officers will be able to issue fixed penalty notices to offenders.

With the extra officers now treading pavements all around the city, the Council is reminding residents of their responsibility to keep the city clean with a new online campaign that asks residents: can you afford not to pick up after yourself?

Councillor Ian Bowyer, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “I am immensely proud of this city and I’m passionate about keeping it clean. I want to respond to the overwhelming view of responsible Plymouth residents who consistently ask me for tougher action to combat these anti-social actions that blight our lives. That’s why we’ve introduced these new teams to beef up our enforcement activities.

“If you don’t offend, you have absolutely nothing to worry about but if you drop litter, don’t pick up after your dog, fly-post or fly-tip, then be prepared to pay.”

Councillor Dave Downie, Cabinet member for Safer and Stronger Communities, added: “This move is all about ensuring that Plymouth is a cleaner city for us all.

“For too long a minority have blighted it for us all and I am pleased that offenders will be punished for their selfish actions.”

Although there are currently council staff trained in the gathering and reporting of evidence, numbers are small and so proactive presence on the street is limited.

By introducing Kingdom Services, extra enforcement officers, guided by existing expert and experienced staff, will ensure that instead of being a reactive service, teams will be able to proactively tackle issues around the city.

With more officers on the street, members of the public are being encouraged to get in touch if they see an offence being committed.

If residents are able to identify the perpetrator and provide a witness statement then they are encouraged to report it via our online self-service system.

Littering and fly-posting both carry an £80 penalty while dog fouling costs offenders £100. Meanwhile, fly-tipping is punishable by a massive £400 fine.