Exclusive: Lack of enforcement is allowing people to drop rubbish with complete impunity, says Clean Up Britain
Scores of councils across the UK have in effect ended enforcement of fines for littering, while others are letting litterers off lightly and many more are neglecting to enforce fines for fly-tipping.
At least 71 councils failed to issue a single fine for littering last year, while a further 67 issued fewer than 10, according to data from the Clean Up Britain campaign.
John Read, the founder of Clean Up Britain, said: “In large swathes of the country, there is eco-anarchy. Anyone can litter with complete impunity and no fear of being caught and convicted.”
Levying fines on those who litter would not only help to stem the rising tide of rubbish, but could be a source of revenue for cash-strapped councils, according to Read, who uncovered the data through requests to councils under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act.
