BCP Council issued zero fines for littering over a year

Figures obtained via a Freedom of Information request reveal that during the period of June 2021 to the end of June this year, BCP Council issued no fines to people who littered the streets, seafront or parks. 

Council cleaning teams collected 70 tonnes of rubbish over one weekend recently, and BCP spends £1 million a year clearing rubbish from beaches.

BCP council issued no fixed penalty notices for littering over the past 12 months

Peter Calladine, a Dorset Devils volunteer who picked up 3,000 pieces of litter on one road the other week, said it was “quite lamentable” no fines had been issued. 

He added: “When there is litter on that industrial scale left on the streets and in our area, it is absolutely wrong that the council are not stopping it. 

“You’d think the paper doing stories on the issue would stop the littering. Something needs to be done to stop the littering.”  

Peter Calladine said it is "quite lamentable" no FPNs have been issued

Read more: Scenes at Bournemouth beach following heatwave

Read more: Three thousand pieces of litter picked up in one Bournemouth road

Green Party councillor Simon Bull said littering can make the conurbation appear “run down and unappealing” and can put visitors off from coming back. 

He added: “Aside from the visual impact, rubbish also impacts on wildlife and often ends up in the sea. 

“I appreciate that issuing fines for littering, especially on the beach, has challenges but it is surprising that in the whole of BCP not one fine has been issued.  

“Fines should be only one part of the solution and need to be accompanied with education, easy to access bins and greater onus on companies to reduce packaging and to make it genuinely biodegradable.” 

Bournemouth beach on the morning of Tuesday, July 20 during the recent heatwave

Cllr Mark Anderson, portfolio holder for environment and place, said: “The issuing of fixed penalty notices for littering is an ongoing challenge due to requirements to catch in the act and tie the event to an individual. The level of resources required is disproportionate to the outcome.  

“We take littering very seriously and acting as a deterrent we’ve invested in an increased numbers of Community Safety Accredited Scheme officers to help patrol seafront areas.  

“All our ongoing initiatives show our commitment to tackling these littering issues, while acknowledging that there are no easy, quick, or cheap solutions. 

“The large majority of visitors use the 400 triple sized bins which are dotted along the seafront, and we thank them for that.  

“Our message is simple – please use our bins to dispose of any rubbish and if they are full, take it home with you. We love our award-winning beautiful beaches and want to keep them safe, clean, and welcoming for all.”