12th August – Anti social behaviour targeted – North Somerset Council
21st May – Tackling littering and dog fouling – North Somerset Council
Report anti-social behaviour
North Somerset Council has started a crackdown on littering, dog fouling and other anti-social behaviour across North Somerset. We’ve teamed up with a private company to issue £75 fixed penalty notices to anyone seen breaching our public space protection orders.
The 12-month contract with Local Authority Support will see their trained team patrol the area.
Environmental crime and anti-social behaviour can have a detrimental effect on our communities and littering and dog fouling remain a concern for many residents.
During the Your Neighbourhood consultations last year, only 40% of people thought their area was clean and 25% thought it was okay; while 90% of respondents agreed it was reasonable to issue on-the-spot fines for dog fouling.
Working with LA Support will allow us to build on the great work already undertaken by our officers and the many volunteers who work across the area to pick up other people’s litter and keep North Somerset clean.
We’ll also work with our local town and parish councils to tackle issues in their areas.
In the coming weeks, extra crews will be available to empty bins and carry out other cleaning on a seven-day basis and into the evening in key areas.
Patrols from LA Support will target areas with the greatest number of issues first.
Fines will also apply to anyone seen breaching orders on land where dogs are excluded or required to be kept on leads.
On-the-spot fine fines will be paid directly to LA Support and if these fixed penalty notices go unpaid, we will prosecute through the courts.
As well as enforcement, LA Support will be working with schools and community groups to raise awareness of the work they do.
If you are aware of particular hotspot, please email waste.enforcement@n-somerset.gov.uk (and also let me know).
What is a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)?
- Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) are intended to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a specific area that is detrimental to the local community’s quality of life.
- They work by imposing conditions on the use of that area which apply to everyone.
- They are intended to make sure that everyone can use and enjoy public spaces, safe from anti-social behaviour.
- A PSPO can set out blanket restrictions and/or requirements or can be targeted against certain behaviours by certain groups at certain times.
What work will LA Support carry out?
- LA Support officers will carry out patrols of North Somerset issuing on the spot fixed penalty notices for any breach of the council’s PSPOs.
- Officers will also report other issues they may come across during their patrols to the relevant council department or agency.
Why are you increasing enforcement of the PSPOs and issuing fixed penalty notices?
- Environmental crime and anti-social behaviour have a negative impact on local communities, impact tourism and can be harmful to the environment.
- We hope by taking a more robust approach to enforcing the PSPO it will deter offenders from breaching orders in the first place and improve the local area by reducing overall offending.
How much is the fixed penalty for breaching the PSPO?
- £75
How do I pay a fixed penalty notice?
- Online
- Telephone – 0333 313 1148
- In person – at any Payzone outlet – you will need to present the fixed penalty notice containing your unique barcode and you will need to pay in full.
What areas will LA Support cover?
- The PSPOs contain district wide orders (littering, dog fouling, etc.) as well as some specific orders relating to buildings, parks, etc.
- LA Support officers will cover the whole of North Somerset but will prioritise areas that see a high level of offending.
What other work will LA Support be involved in?
- LA Support will run a “bin it to win it” competition that rewards people for going the extra mile to dispose of their litter correctly.
- They will also run educational talks with schools and get involved with community events such as litter picks.
I’ve been issued a fixed penalty notice by LA Support but think it was wrongly issued?
- You can make representations to LA Support directly if you believe the fixed penalty notice has been incorrectly issued. You can do this be contacting: northsomerset.council@lasupport.co.uk
- Alternatively, if you wish to make a complaint about the service or an officer this can be done by contacting North Somerset Council and following the council’s complaints procedure.
I’ve been issued a fixed penalty notice and don’t know if it’s been issued by the council or LA Support?
- LA Support fixed penalty notices are numerical only and consist of nine digits.
- North Somerset Council issued fixed penalty notices have a reference number that always starts with FP.
What happens if I don’t pay the fixed penalty notice?
- If you fail to pay the fixed penalty notice, the case will be passed to North Somerset Council.
- You will then be prosecuted for the offence committed and if found guilty may receive a much higher fine.
- The maximum fine if found guilty of breaching a PSPO is £1,000.