A series of measures aimed at tackling littering are to be rolled out across County Durham.
An Autumn Big Clean, a trial of ‘litter cams’ and changes to the Fixed Penalty Notice system are being introduced by Durham County Council to address the issue.
The authority currently invests £6 million in responding to littering through street cleaning, enforcement activity and community engagement but, by introducing these new measures, it hopes to modernise how littering is prevented and improve outcomes.
The launch of a new Autumn Big Clean aims to build on the significant success of the council’s Big Spring Clean campaign, which last year saw 2,700 volunteers give up more than 5,500 hours of their time to collect almost 4,000 bags of rubbish across the county.
The Autumn Big Clean will see schools, community groups and businesses encouraged to clean up their community and take ownership of their local areas.
A trial of a ‘litter cam’ will also be introduced, using AI technology to identify those who throw litter from a vehicle.
Where the authority can’t identify who is responsible for throwing litter from a vehicle, the registered keeper will be held responsible and issued with a fine.
Meanwhile, changes to the council’s Fixed Penalty Notice system will see the standard fine for littering increase to £500.
Enforcement officers will now also be given the power to hand out a restorative justice option, where those caught littering will be required to take part in a community clean up activity such as a litter picking session.
Cllr Kyle Genner, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhoods, environment and police relations, said: “Litter on our streets, on our roadsides and in places across our county is a real issue, and an issue that the people of County Durham continuously tell us they would like to see dealt with.
“We’re announcing today the use of new technology to help tackle the problem, as well as enhanced and improved Fixed Penalty Notices that put us alongside the toughest councils in the country for dealing with those who litter. We’re thrilled to announce an increase in Fixed Penalty Notices to the legal maximum of £500 and are especially happy to introduce a restorative justice element to enforcement, where those who do wrong can be asked to help tidy up the mess they’ve helped to create.
“I want to be absolutely clear when I say this: to those who litter in County Durham, we will do everything we can to catch you, and we’ll do everything we can to make you pay.
“For those who do keep our streets clean, thank you. Our Big Spring Clean has been an incredible success, and we hope to see similar engagement in our new Autumn Big Clean. Please volunteer, get involved, and do your bit to keep County Durham a tidy and beautiful place to live.”
The Autumn Big Clean will get underway in September, allowing communities to remain actively involved in tackling the issue and helping to prevent it.
More information can be found at www.durham.gov.uk/litter
