On-The-Spot Fines In Adur & Worthing For Littering, Dog Fouling

Wednesday, 23 June 2021 06:00

By Jade McLean

People in Adur and Worthing who are caught dropping litter and not cleaning up after their dogs will face an on-the-spot fine.

Enforcement patrols will start today (Wednesday, June 23) with a £75 fine for people caught dropping litter and £100 fine for dog fouling.

Adur & Worthing Councils want to send a strong message to people who ruin the local environment.

If the fines are not paid and a case goes to court, the maximum penalty for littering is £2,500 and £1,000 for dog fouling.

The self-funding trial scheme, which already operates in Chichester and Arun districts, has been introduced after feedback from local residents and community groups.

Cllr Emma Evans, Adur District Council's Executive Member for Environment, said:

"It's clear from the regular emails, phone calls and social media messages I receive that residents are fed up with littering and dog fouling in their communities.

"For whatever reason, our work to encourage people to be responsible is not getting through - which is why we are now taking tougher action.

"The trial enforcement scheme has already had a very positive impact in neighbouring areas.

"I hope it sends a strong message to the small minority of people who continue to ruin the local environment that littering and dog fouling will not be tolerated any more."

Cllr Edward Crouch, Worthing Borough Council's Executive Member for Digital & Environmental Services, said:

"Littering and dog fouling has a cost to everyone: it costs our communities, who have to live with it on a regular basis; our environment, which it damages while harming wildlife; and the council, as we have to pay large sums to clear the waste.

"We'd much rather invest this money into essential services which is why we are starting this self-funding trial enforcement scheme.

"We want to prick the public conscience and make clear it is completely unacceptable to drop litter of any kind.

"By working together, we can all make a difference to ensure our borough remains beautiful for everyone who lives and visits here."

The crackdown comes just weeks after leaders of both Councils issued a general warning that anti-social behaviour cannot be tolerated in Adur and Worthing this summer.

People are being encouraged to take their litter home with them and make sure their cars are parked in designated spots.