Ten fines issued during Inverness city centre litter crackdown

A recent anti-litter purge in Inverness city centre resulted in 10 Fixed Penalty Notices of £50 each being issued for smoking related offences.

Officers from The Highland Council’s Transport Environmental and Community Services based in Aviemore, Dingwall and Invergordon were drafted in to Inverness to help mount the crackdown on Thursday 26th August 2010.

Enforcement officers were particularly disappointed to note that in all ten cases the recipients of the penalties were within feet of either litter bins or receptacles specifically designed for cigarette ends.

Debbie Maguire, the Council’s Community Works Manager for Inverness City, said: “People who drop litter should be under no illusion that in terms of the Environmental Protection Act cigarette ends are considered to be litter just the same as, for example, a food carton and where  officers observe littering offences being committed Fixed Penalty Notices will be issued.”

She said it was the Council’s intention is to take a tougher stance on littering and where time and resources permit similar targeted enforcement days will be arranged.

For further information please contact: Debbie Maguire, Community Works Manager, The Highland Council TEC Services tel: 01463 703110 / 07833 614396