Fixed Penalty Notices for Littering & Dog Fouling

We can issue someone with a fixed penalty notice (FPN) if they commit certain offences such as littering or dog fouling. They may be issued on the spot or through the post.

Dropping litter and not cleaning up after your dog are both offences that are illegal. The council has run several campaigns over the years targeting littering and dog fouling using releases, posters and advertising to continue our education campaign. On top of this, organisations like Keep Britain Tidy do an excellent job in helping us get the anti-littering message across.  Unfortunately publicity alone is not effective enough so the council are taking their duties seriously and backing up this message with enforcement. The aim of the enforcement patrols is to target those who choose to ignore the littering laws which the vast majority abide by.

You can help us by reporting litter problems using our online form at the bottom of this page. We can then remove it or find the person responsible.

Offences for which we can issue FPNs

These are some of the offences for which we can issue FPNs:

  • Abandoning a vehicle
  • Dog fouling and other dog offences - failing to pick up after your dog or not disposing of the dog waste in the correct way.
  • Littering - including items such as cigarette butts, chewing gum, fast food and other forms of litter such as packaging.
  • Fly-posting
  • Graffiti
  • Nuisance parking (selling or repairing cars on the street as a business)
  • Unauthorised distribution of literature on designated land
  • Businesses not disposing of waste properly
  • Failing to provide waste carrier registration documents or waste transfer notes
  • Failing to clear land that is littered
  • Fly tipping
  • Placing waste out too early for collection, or in the wrong containers

Remember:

  • There will be no warnings. If you drop litter (including cigarette butts or chewing gum) you will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £80.
  • That you can use bins without ashtrays, extinguish the cigarette first, then place it in the bin.
  • Not having a bin to hand is not an excuse for littering.
  • Placing a cigarette end down a drain is still an offence which will result in a fine.
  • The offence is complete once the item is deposited and the person walks away.
  • Failing to give your name and address is an offence under the Environment Protection Act 1990 Section 88 (8B).

Pay a Fixed Penalty Notice

Details on how to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice are on our Pay a Fixed Penalty Notice page.

Report a Litter Problem

Please report a litter problem using our online form. 

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