Bad news for flytippers and litterbugs! Enviro-crime fines set to hike by up to three times previous amount in South Holland

South Holland District Council have vowed to get tougher on flytipping – by hiking fines by up to three times the previous amount..

The authority has announced its intention to increase the fixed penalty notice threshold to take a firmer stance towards tackling environmental crime, which also includes littering, graffiti and fly-posting.

And that means much more severe penalties for those caught doing wrong – with some fines trebling.

An internal review of the penalties has been carried out which determined that the council should increase the fine that can be handed to enviro-crime offenders.

This is in line with the Commitment made in the South and East Lincolnshire Council Partnership’s Litter and Fly-tipping Enforcement and Engagement Strategy.

Fixed penalty notice fines are used by the council as an alternative to prosecutions through the courts system, working as a quick and efficient way for the offender to admit liability for their crime and pay a financial penalty to help cover the taxpayer cost of their actions.

The increased fine amounts in South Holland would now be: flytipping £400 (With larger offences to be prosecuted through the courts), littering £150, graffiti £150, fly- posting £150, duty of care offence £400, roadside vehicle sales and repairs £100, failure to produce a waste transfer note £300, failure to produce waste carrier registration documents £300.

Previously littering, fly-posting and the unauthorised distribution of printed materials would earn the public a £50 fine if they paid within seven days.

Flytipping fines would start at £120 and graffiti £75.

Coun Anthony Casson, portfolio holder for public protection, said: “As a council it is vital that we do everything we can to ensure that the offenders who commit these crimes that blight the landscapes across our beautiful district are rightly and strongly punished and that clear deterrents are in place for those considering it in the future.

“I fully support this proactive approach to penalising and stopping those involved in these crimes, and helping to protect our towns, villages and countryside for those who live, work and visit here.”

As per the Council's procedures, this matter is subject to a five day call-in period..