New enviro-crime team to take to the streets of South Holland this week
A new team brought in to crack down on litter, fly tipping and other ‘enviro crimes’ will start patrolling the streets this week.
A three-person team will be deployed in South Holland by contractor Kingdom to dish out fines - with the promise of ‘visible’ cameras in known fly tip hot spots to catch offenders who blight the streets and countryside.
Members of Spalding Town Forum were told on Thursday that training has recently been taking place for the people working here - and that they will be seen in action this week, adding to the council’s own community wardens and liaison officer.
Portfolio holder Anthony Casson, who regularly sees fly tips in his own Moulton, Weston and Cowbit ward, told members: “It’s a huge problem. I just hope all this gets some prosecutions and slows it down.”
The district council keeps a 10 per cent cut of the fines issued - with assistant director Christian Allen saying the contract (which brings separate teams for Boston and East Lindsey too) was not about ‘generating cash’.
Members heard that offenders will be able to pay in instalments in a bid to avoid people saying they cannot afford them.
The work will also involve an education campaign to remind the public of the rules on littering and issues such as early presentation of litter.
Donna Hall, head of public protection, said: “We need to get back to basics and tell the public what isn’t acceptable.”
The project was widely welcomed, although Coun Steve Timewell cautioned: “I am concerned we might have underestimated the problem. I don’t think three staff are going to make that much of a difference, certainly in the short term.”
Members were told Kingdom had already had success in Boston with three officers.
Council says 'good enforcement is key to public confidence'
*After the meeting the council issued a statement formally announcing the arrival of the new team
In the statement, Coun Anthony Casson, portfolio holder for public protection at South Holland District Council, said: "I was really pleased we got this opportunity through partnership working 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 I look forward to hearing about what the team manage to achieve and seeing how they can improve things in our area."
What do you think? Can this team help to tackle our issues? Post your comments below or email your views to andrew.brookes@iliffepublishing.co.uk
