THREE people have been successfully prosecuted by Harlow Council for littering in Harlow. The cases were heard at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Friday 24 June 2016 and led to fines totalling £900 with £1,160 in court costs. All three cases were brought to court under Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (which covers non-payment of fixed penalty notices).

THREE people have been successfully prosecuted by Harlow Council for littering in Harlow.

The cases were heard at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Friday 24 June 2016 and led to fines totalling £900 with £1,160 in court costs. All three cases were brought to court under Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (which covers non-payment of fixed penalty notices).

Dave Franks, of Collins Meadow, was summonsed for non-payment of an FPN issued by Officers who witnessed him throw a cigarette on the floor and walk away on 6 January. Mr. Franks was found guilty in his absence, and was fined £250 and ordered to pay court costs of £340 as well as a £25 victim surcharge.

Danny Peak, of Elwood, was issued with a fixed penalty notice (FPN) on 17 January 2016 for dumping assorted rubbish into the street from his car. The act was witnessed by Council Officers and they issued Mr. Peak with an FPN. Following non-payment of the FPN the case was heard in court and proved in his absence; Mr. Peak received a £250 fine, as well as having to pay £340 court costs and a £25 victim surcharge.

Finally George Pendred, of Bishopsfield, was issued with an FPN after the Council received a report of a large amount of household waste being dumped in the pathway of Bishopsfield. Officers attended to investigate on 2 February 2016 and found evidence linking the rubbish back to Mr. Pendred in the rubbish; he was subsequently issued with an FPN. Following non-payment he was summonsed to court and the case was proved in his absence. Mr. Pendred was issued with a fine of £400 and ordered to pay court costs of £390 as well as a £40 victim surcharge.

Commenting on the prosecutions, Councillor Emma Toal, Portfolio Holder for Youth & Community, said: “I am pleased that unacceptable and irresponsible behaviour like this is being challenged and that the Council is upholding its duty as community leaders to maintain a clean environment for those who live and visit Harlow. Litter and dumped rubbish in the streets is a constant area of complaint from residents and in response our Officers are watching and they will take action against those who mess up our town.

“Littering and dropping cigarette butts is damaging to the environment and makes the town look messy. It also contributes to annual cost of nearly £2m the Council spends in cleaning up litter and rubbish found on the town’s streets and housing estates.

“I want to thank the Council’s Community Safety and Legal Teams for the work they did in achieving these successful prosecutions.”

The Council will always investigate reports and take action against anyone caught littering or dumping rubbish as long, as there is conclusive evidence which is enables Officers to issue an FPN.

If you spot dumped rubbish or litter around the town you can report it to us at www.harlow.gov.uk/report