Archive Council News

26 October 2007

Enforcement Team Gets Tougher On Litter Louts and Dog Owners

Wrexham County Borough Council is prepared to use the law to ensure that dog fouling and litter problems are tackled head-on. The Authority already serves more £75 fixed penalty notices than any other Council in North Wales and is warning offenders they will take them to court if they fail to pay.

Councillors have laid down tough targets to ensure that the County Borough's streets and parks are kept clean as part of the Pride in your Streets initiative.

So far this year Council Enforcement Officers have issued over 300 penalties for littering, dog fouling and fly tipping offences. Some cases have already gone to court for non-payment of the fines. In August this year a young girl was prosecuted at Wrexham Magistrates Court for dropping a burger wrapper in town. The 16 year old was fined £100 plus £95 costs. Earlier this month a local man was fined for failing to pick up after his dog fouled on Llwyn Isaf Green. When he failed to pay he was successfully prosecuted by Wrexham Council, fined £100 and ordered to pay £95 costs.

Very recently a man was threatened with court action after failing to pay the £75 fine after allowing his dog to foul the footway but prior to it reaching court he changed his mind and decided to pay the fine plus £40 costs.

As Wrexham's streets get cleaner the long-term aim is to enforce less as residents begin to adhere to the Pride in your Streets messages that dog fouling and dropping litter is not tolerated.

Lead Member for the Environment, Councillor Mark Pritchard said: "We want to send out a very clear message to residents that if you don't clean up after your dog or persist in dropping litter then we will issue a fixed penalty notice. If you don't pay the fine then we'll prosecute.  Ultimately, we would like to reduce the number of fines that are issued as more people begin to take pride in their streets and irresponsible dog owners get the message that they must clean up after them. Thanks to all of the people who are working with the Council to keep Wrexham County Borough clean."

Andy Lewis, Chief Housing and Public Protection Officer said: "Our Environmental Enforcement Officers routinely issue fixed penalty notices and will pursue non-payment of fines through to the courts. Councillors want us to take a tough stance and in a recent environmental audit list they selected dog fouling and litter as top priorities. With continued awareness raising and a zero tolerance approach we can all live in communities that we can be proud of."