Crack down on enviro-crime will see company patrol streets
A firm has pledged to clean up our streets as patrols prepare to keep 'public spaces cleaner and safer'.
The team - whose job will include tackling fly-tipping, dog fouling and littering - will begin work this month.
The South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership - which includes South Holland District Council, Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District Council - has awarded a three-year contract to Kingdom LA Support to carry out environmental crime enforcement work.
This paper recently revealed the partnership had pledged to get tough on fly tipping and other enviro-crimes, with SHDC's Coun Anthony Casson describing the move as 'the key to public confidence'.
Kingdom will provide foot patrols and overt CCTV surveillance across the partnership to tackle littering, dog fouling and fly tipping and other crimes.
Officers will also be able to enforce offences in areas under Public Space Protection Orders.
Coun Anthony Casson, portfolio holder for public protection, at SHDC, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to deliver a cost-effective way to tackle enviro-crime issues collectively for all of our residents.
"Good enforcement is the key to public confidence and we are pleased to have Kingdom on board.”
Michael Fisher, managing director of Kingdom Local Authority Support, said: “We are delighted to have been afforded the opportunity to work in partnership with Boston, East Lindsey and South Holland authorities on a project designed to reduce instances of fly-tipping, littering and other environmental crime.
“This will be a multi-faceted operation using experienced Environmental Enforcement Officers together with our highly-successful technology to enforce as well as educating through engagement and explanation to the community.”
“We patrol with consent and our aim is to contribute towards keeping the streets and public spaces cleaner and safer to reside in and visit.
Fly tipping has been a rising problem in recent years across all three authorities, with cases trebling in South Holland and Doubling in Boston Borough.
Just this week a fly tipper received a heavy fine at Boston Magistrates' Court, while dumping household waste has been a problem down Spalding's Sough Avenue.
There is a provision to extend the deal with Kingdom for up to another two years,
The move was also welcome by Boston Borough and East Lindsey.
Coun Deborah Evans, portfolio holder for environmental services at Boston Borough Council, said: "The partnership brings huge benefits by coming together to deliver the best possible outcome and service for the people of Boston, this is an exciting time.
“Kingdom have already made a great impact on our town by helping us crackdown on environmental crimes, and we look forward to seeing continued improvements as time progresses."
Meanwhile, Coun Martin Foster, portfolio holder for operational services at East Lindsey District Council, said: "By working across the Partnership, Kingdom can work with the councils to help deliver our key education messages to all our residents no matter where they live over such things as fly-tipping and litter."
