Zero tolerance for littering sees 1,300 fines

A year-long crackdown on littering in Aldershot and Farnborough has so far seen more than 1,300 fines issued.

Rushmoor Borough Council’s Cabinet agreed a pilot project last February, which saw enforcement officers on patrol throughout Aldershot and Farnborough.

The zero tolerance campaign on littering involved enforcement officers issuing fixed penalty notices (FPNs) of £75 to anyone they witnessed dropping litter. Anyone who refused to pay ended up in court with a criminal record if convicted.

The council is due to review the results of the pilot over the coming months.

Up until the end of December, 120 people had been taken to court for unpaid fines. The courts awarded an average fine of £220 for non- payment.

Cllr Maurice Sheehan said: “We believe the message that you can’t just drop litter and walk away without any consequences is beginning to get through.”

Councillors Martin Tenant (left) and Maurice Sheehan (right) with two of the enforcement officers in Farnborough town centre.