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Patrols to catch Hull's litterbugs

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LITTER patrols will be stepped up this summer in an effort to catch people dropping rubbish in Hull city centre.

Weekend work will be increased to keep the city clean during school holidays.

Members of Hull City Council's neighbourhood nuisance team will be issuing fixed penalty notices and warnings to anyone found littering.

Last summer, a campaign saw 58 fixed penalties issued to litter bugs on the city's streets.

Councillor John Hewitt, portfolio holder for neighbourhoods and communities, said: "I am pleased our officers are able to carry out more weekend littering patrols.

"It's important we keep our streets as litter-free as possible to make the city attractive for everyone.

"Our message is simple – don't drop litter and you won't be fined. There are lots of litter bins located throughout Hull, so it's easy to get rid of your rubbish safely and help keep our city looking clean and safe."

The council has been warned to take a commonsense approach after a mum was fined over a dropped sausage roll in 2008.

Sarah Davies was feeding the roll to her four-year-old daughter when a "bite-sized" piece missed her mouth and fell to the floor.

She was spotted by a passing litter warden, who claimed he also saw her dump a brown paper bag, and fined £75.

Miss Davies refused to pay and won her case when the council took her to court.

At the time, Deputy District Judge Simon Hickey said evidence given by enforcement officers was inconsistent.

Andrew Allison, national grassroots co-ordinator for The Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "We all want tidy streets but, at the same time, we don't want to see the wardens being overzealous.

"One thing the public do dislike is littering and they tend to support the council on it.

"I can understand why but I would like to see the council using a bit of common sense."

The council has said it will prosecute anyone caught littering more than once.

If convicted by the courts, litterers can face a fine of up to £2,500.

Neighbourhood nuisance team leader Mark Cornall said: "It's always disappointing when we see people littering and we have to issue a fine or, if it's not their first offence, prosecute them.

"We are asking people to be more responsible for their litter.

"It would also help if parents and carers reinforce to their children about why it's important to dispose of litter responsibly and how they should do this."

Last year's scheme ran from May to August and as well as the fixed penalty notices given out, it saw 33 formal warnings given to children, and 12 prosecutions.

Another patrol scheme from October last year to January this year led to officers issuing 78 fixed penalties, 12 formal warnings to children and five prosecutions.


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Patrols to catch Hull's litterbugs


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