New Enforcement Officer (19/09/08)

The Highland Council and Northern Constabulary are joining forces this week to launch a crack down on litter in the centre of Inverness. £1.2 million will be spent on street cleaning in Inverness and another £1.4 million on grounds maintenance next year.

The Council’s newly appointed Enforcement Officer Peter Taylor and City Centre Beat Officers, PC Eddie Mackenzie and PC Paula Lloyd have spent the last five days carrying out daily patrols along the city streets to educate the public about the problems of litter and looking for people

The Council’s campaign of zero tolerance for litter louts is Highland-wide.  Two other Enforcement Officers have also been appointed to cover the Highlands.  James Sanderson will cover the north and Ian Wilson will cover Lochaber and the West Coast. All three Enforcement Officers will also be issuing fixed penalties for dog fouling, investigating fly tipping and abandoned vehicles as well as visiting local primary schools to educate young people about litter and responsible dog ownership.  Another role will be to speak to local businesses on how they store and dispose of their waste and encourage restaurants and pubs to provide wall-mounted bins for cigarette butts.

Littering is an offence and anyone caught can be immediately given a Fixed Penalty Notice for £50.  In 2007, 17 penalty notices were issued in Inverness and since the start of this year a further 11 people have received fixed penalty notices.

Enforcement Officer Peter Taylor said: “There is very little point in improving the city centre if its appearance is being spoiled by litter lying in the streets. I will be hoping to change people’s attitude to dropping litter by both education and the issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices for littering. I would however stress that some businesses also need to look at the way they store and dispose of their waste and I will be speaking to businesses that breach their duty of care.”

Chief Inspector Julian Innes commented:  "We are happy to work with and support our colleagues in the Highland Council with their acquisition of Litter Enforcement Officers to keep Inverness a cleaner and safer place to live and work."

Provost Jimmy Gray welcomed the Council’s crack down on litter.  He said: “Visitors and locals living in Inverness expect to see streets which are clean, safe and welcoming.  A lot of work has been going on to give the centre of Inverness a face lift and it is important that the investment in the new street works is preserve.  People must realise that it is an offence to drop litter, even cigarette ends, and staff will be patrolling the area more frequently to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to anyone caught offending.”

ENDS