Plan for six-fold increase in litter fines

A council is proposing sharp increases in fines for the dropping of litter, graffiti and fly-tipping.

Cannock Chase District Council in Staffordshire is updating penalty notices for environmental offences, which it says have not been reviewed for more than five years.

Charges for littering and graffiti would increase from £75 to £500 (reduced by half) if paid within 10 days), with the penalty for fly-tipping rising from £400 to £1000.

The authority's cabinet will discuss the proposal on Wednesday.

A report to members said the change was in line with government policy to increase enforcement by local authorities, and would increase the charges to the maximum allowed in law.

A fourth penalty, for failing to meet a duty of care in disposing of waste, would increase from £200 to £600.

Money raised by penalty charges is kept by the council, and reinvested in enforcement measures and environmental schemes.

The report concedes there could be a rise in the number of people failing to pay increased fines, but warns the council's "robust" enforcement of the law would continue, with offenders being taken to court.

The council also proposes to extend a cash reward scheme for people reporting environmental crimes.

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