Royal Borough successfully prosecutes litter offenders

The Royal Borough is once again reinforcing its zero-tolerance approach to people who drop litter and fail to pay the £75 fixed penalty notice.

The council's determination to clamp down on litter offenders is reflected in the successful prosecution of six defendants charged at Reading Magistrates' Court on 16 August with littering. All of the defendants were summonsed to court after failing to pay Penalty Notices.

A total of £600 in fines was imposed, with each defendant receiving fines of between £75 and £125 and each ordered to pay court costs of £287.50 plus a victim surcharge of £15.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, cabinet member for highways, transport and environment, said: "It is a bittersweet outcome - it is right and proper that these individuals should be penalised for failure to pay the initial £75 fine, but it is a shame we have to resort to fines to stop littering in the borough. It is also a pity that these folk did not pay up immediately - if they had their fines would have been reduced to £50 for paying up within 10 days. It takes the same time to put the litter in the bin as it does to drop it on the ground. Not only do the offenders incur greater costs by not paying - they also have a criminal record. It is just not worth it.

"I am delighted that our Shared Legal Solutions* team together with officers in streetcare have been tenacious and secured these prosecutions which reinforce the borough's zero-tolerance policy to all anti-social behaviour. This is not a one-off - we will pursue each offender and ensure they pay up.

"Our community wardens also play a huge part in the fight against littering and they will not hesitate to issue fines for both littering and dog fouling, but of course we would prefer if people did not commit these offences in the first place."

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