Tasked with the job of removing rubbish, graffiti and abandoned vehicles from our streets, Gosport Borough Council’s Streetscene Team are about to get tough.
Although Streetscene came into force last summer, they have, until now, been operating a ‘bedding in’ and ‘general education’ period. That means the team have been speaking to the public and issuing leaflets informing them of the possibility of on the spot fines for offences such as littering, fly tipping, abandoned cars and dog fouling.
“Up until now we have been quite lenient, simply pointing out that dropping cigarette ends and chewing gum or letting dogs foul the footway is not acceptable and that, in future, on the spot fines will be issued,” said Stevyn Ricketts, Head of Streetscene. “Now, with the education bit complete, it’s time to step things up and carry out our enforcement role. That means from here on in people either play by the rules or face the consequences and pay the fine.”
To carry out the work effectively the Enforcement team have been broken up into 5 teams to work alongside the Community Beat Bobbies and the Accredited Community Safety Officers within the five Police Beat Wards. Enforcement teams will also, when possible, attend Police Surgeries as it has been found many of the issues raised at these meetings concern Streetscene.
“It is important for our Enforcement Team to work with the community and to achieve that they will not just be out and about in vans but on foot and bicycles too,” added Stevyn. “This will enable them to go up and down the cycleways, through back alleyways and into the sorts of places where people think they won’t be seen dumping rubbish or letting their dogs mess. We also need the public’s support so if they know of someone who regularly allows this sort of behaviour to take place, they should give us a call.”
To report fly tipping, abandoned cars, dog fouling etc you can call Streetscene on the FREEPHONE number Tel: 08000 198598. All calls are treated in the strictest confidence.
Let’s Team Up to Clean Up Our Community.
Extra Information
Beat Wards are Community Police work areas. The five Beat Wards are:-
1. Town & Anglesey
2. Ann’s Hill and Alverstoke
3. Elson
4. Bridgemary
5. Rowner & Lee
Enforcement Officers work 7 days a week from 07.00 hours to 21.00 hours during the winter months and from 07.00 hours to 23.00 hours in the summertime.
Fixed penalties vary from £75 (reduced to £50 if paid within a certain time frame) to £100 depending on offence. If fines are not paid, offenders will be taken to Court.
