More than 100 people have been fined after committing a string of crimes against the environment.
Latest figures show Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection team issued 89 fixed penalty notices for littering throughout January, as well as a further six for dog fouling, seven for untidy gardens or yards and failing to comply with litter clearing notices and one for flytipping.
The team is tasked with tackling various issues, including flytipping, dog fouling, stray dogs, littering and antisocial behaviour.
As well as issuing a total of 103 fines, 57 community protection warnings and 10 community protection notices were handed out to properties with untidy gardens or yards.
Wardens also removed 141 stray dogs – a reminder of the importance of making sure dogs are microchipped so they can be traced and returned to their owner if they get lost.
A total of 25 reports of antisocial behaviour were investigated after being passed from police airwaves and 96 alcohol seizures from underage children were also carried out.
And, as part of Operation Stop It, a multi-agency crackdown on people who dump waste, the following statistics were recorded in January:
• 596 flytipping incidents were reported and investigated – 74 of which are still ongoing investigations.
• 17 CCTV cameras were deployed in known flytipping hotspots.
• 24 people were interviewed in relation to flytipping offences.
• 11 duty of care letters were sent to people reminding them to dispose of their waste properly.
• Eight stop and check operations were carried out to establish whether waste carriers were licenced. All but one complied.
• As part of the stop and checks, three people were asked to produce the correct documents in relation to carrying waste.
• 11 flytipping cases were progressed for prosecution with two awaiting court dates.
Stop and check exercises are carried out by neighbourhood wardens and police to make sure vehicles have a licence to carry, transport or dispose of waste.
They form part of Operation Stop It, which has also seen a number of successful prosecutions through the courts, including a recent case where a man dumped about 100 bags of rubbish from a pub.
The man, from Peterlee, was ordered to pay a total of £366 by magistrates last month (February) after admitting the offence, which took place in Hetton-le-Hole.
Ian Hoult, neighbourhood protection manager at Durham County Council, said: “We’re building on the momentum of our campaign to stamp out flytipping across the county and the number of people prosecuted as a result is testament to these efforts.
“We work closely with Durham Constabulary, Crimestoppers and the Environment Agency to investigate every report of flytipping and to determine whether the waste can be traced back to the owner. The use of extra CCTV cameras at flytipping hotspots throughout the county is also providing robust evidence to use when prosecuting offenders.
“Whilst education is always the first step, when it comes to environmental offences like flytipping our message is clear – we will not tolerate it and anyone who commits waste crime can expect to be fined or even hauled through the courts.”
Domestic rubbish can be taken to any of the county’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) and bulky waste collections can be arranged through the council by calling 03000 261000.
Businesses are also reminded that they must meet their duty of care in correct waste disposal by using licenced waste carriers to collect and dispose of business waste correctly.
Enviro-crimes can be reported at www.durham.gov.uk or by calling 03000 261000 and unlicensed waste carriers can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555111.
For more information about Household Waste Recycling Centres, including locations and opening hours, visit www.durham.gov.uk/HWRC.