Litter enforcement
If you drop litter in Salford, you could face a £70 fine!
As a result of better rules introduced in April 2006, police community support officers and city council enforcement officers are now able to issue fixed penalty notices to anyone seen dropping litter in the street. As part of their commitment to a litter-free city, Salford have now has an environmental crime unit who have just employed more enforcement officers to patrol Salford, helping to keep it clean!
This is just one of a range of measures aimed at making Salford a litter-free city.
Please remember that this is something which you can help with. If you're out and about in Salford and you have litter - just bin it!
Report a litter problem using our online service request form.
Litter enforcement frequently asked questions
Why are you doing this?
We want to achieve a litter-free city. The city council wants to encourage local people not to drop litter and instead help keep the city environment clean. If this means fining people, then this is something we must do. We want people to think twice before dropping litter.
When do these legal regulations come into force?
The regulations came into effect on 1 April 2006 as part of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.
What’s the fine?
We will issue a fixed penalty on-the-spot notice of £70 for littering offences. Failure to pay can lead to further sanctions, including fines of up to £2,500 for each offence.
Who can get fined?
Anyone from 14 years and above who drops litter in a public place or private place that is in the open air.
Where can people get fined?
Any public or private place that is open to the air including recreation areas, roads, pavements, land belonging to hospitals, schools, colleges, car parks … almost anywhere in fact! The city council intends to pay particular attention to areas where there have been littering problems in the past - including routes to and from secondary schools, outside shops and similar litter hotspots.
Do offenders have to pay the enforcment officer there and then?
No, we will take their name and address and they will be handed a notice. They will then have 14 days to pay the fixed penalty fine.
What happens if they refuse to pay the fine?
Court action will be initiated, which can lead to a fine of up to £2,500.
Why will you fine people now when this has been a problem for years?
New legislation is now in place which means that the council has the authority to prosecute people for littering. The costs of providing a street cleansing service are rising all the time, and we must use every means at our disposal to clean the city and keep it clean for the benefit of all.
Was Salford the first council to fine people?
No. All local authorities now have the power to fine people for dropping litter but Salford City Council is among the first councils to actually enforce the legislation.
Under which legislation do these powers fall?
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. For all offences under these Acts, penalties may be imposed by either the city council or local magistrates or crown court, ranging from a fixed penalty notice to a fine of up to £2,500 for non-payment of the fixed penalty.
What are you going to do with the money collected from fines?
This money now stays with the council but must be spent back into the service to improve the environment for everyone.
What happens if there isn’t a litter bin nearby?
There are nearly 1,300 litter bins in Salford, so there should be one within walking distance of most litter hotspots. But if there isn't a litter bin handy, please be a responsible citizen and take your litter home with you.
If you have any suggestions or complaints regarding the siting, or non-siting, of a litter bin in your area- ring our Call Centre to bring the matter to our attention
What is the cost of keeping the streets clean?
Currently Salford City Council clears around 20,000 tonnes of litter from the city's streets each year. Being litter conscious helps save the council a substantial amount of money which can be put to much better use.
Who can help?
Everyone! Individuals, kids, parents, teachers, community groups, councillors – anyone. It’s your city, be proud of your environment. Please help us to keep Salford green!
Shouldn’t you educate people, not prosecute them?
We run several environmental awareness programmes aimed at kids and community groups called the Salford Pride project. And we're doing all we can to get the message across to everyone! This activity includes providing help and support to community groups, visiting schools with our 'keep the city clean' message. These litter enforcement fines are just one of a range of measures we deploy to help keep the city clean.
Who to contact for more information
Self-help community clean-ups
Damien Thornton
Email:
damien.thornton@salford.gov.uk
Telephone: 0161-909 6500
Litter Enforcement general enquiries
Email: environment@salford.gov.uk
Telephone:
0161-909 6500
To request a visit to your school or community group by Salford Pride
Email:
environment@salford.gov.uk
Telephone: 0161-909 6500
This page was last updated on 31 July 2008
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