Published: Friday, 2nd March 2018
A man from Walsall has been given a fine from Stafford Magistrates Court after enforcement officers witnessed him dropping a cigarette end in a local car park.
In June 2017 George Coldicott was witnessed dropping a cigarette end in a local car park. Mr Coldicott was issued with a £75 fixed penalty notice, which he accepted, to avoid court proceedings. However, 6 weeks later he was witnessed discarding another cigarette end in a local takeaway car park.
On 4 January 2018 Mr Colicott was issued with a £92 fine and ordered to pay costs of £95 and a victim surcharge of £30 by Stafford Magistrates Court, after pleading guilty to the second offence.
Councillor John Preece, Environment Portfolio Leader said “The first fixed penalty notice obviously had no impact on Mr Coldicott as he chose to commit the offence again.
Cannock Chase Council is committed to a cleaner District for residents and visitors. We hope that this incident is a stark reminder for people to take pride in the area they live or visit. Those who are witnessed littering even small items such as cigarette ends can expect to receive a fixed penalty notice, and those who don’t pay, or re-offend will find themselves in Court and could end up with a criminal record.”
Each year the Council removes and disposes of 245 tonnes of waste from the streets, much of it takeaway packaging and cigarette-related items, at a cost of £135,000 to Council tax payers.
In an aim to reduce this, the Council has worked with local High Schools to raise awareness of the effects of litter on the environment and to highlight the consequences of dropping it.
We are also cracking down on littering in the town centres and Enforcement Officers will be carrying out both high visibility and undercover patrols in Rugeley, Hednesford and Cannock, aimed at encouraging the public to take greater pride in these areas and dispose of litter properly. Since April last year the Council has issued more than 60 fixed penalty notices.
Incidents can be reported by contacting Cannock Chase Council on 01543 462621 or by emailing environmentalhealth@cannockchasedc.gov.uk or via the website www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk