Litter louts in Ipswich are being hit where it hurts - in the pocket. The Borough Council has now issued more than 100 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) since its get-tough policy was introduced earlier in the year.
The Council has promoted the new enforcement policy widely and Councillor Inga Lockington, Environment portfolio-holder, said: “We have done our best to educate people about the new policy and to ask for their help in keeping Ipswich as clean as possible. The vast majority do take pride in their town but many offenders are shocked to discover that a cigarette butt is classified as litter.” Offenders are issued with a £50 fixed penalty notice and if this is paid within 14 days no further action is taken. However, non-payment will result in the offender going to court where the maximum fine applicable is £2,500. A recent case of non-payment dealt with through the local court cost the offender £200 instead of £50, so the message is “pay up promptly and save yourself the additional costs”.
The Council’s StreetCare service, which is in charge of keeping the town clean, says there has been a very high payment rate. Three-quarters of the offenders do not live in Ipswich.