New team tackles 'enviro crime'
Posted on Friday 27 July 2007
As part of its 'Feeling and Being Safe' campaign, City of York Council is
getting tough with anyone committing environmental crime.
A dedicated two-person environmental enforcement team has been formed to tackle all forms of environmental crime, including littering, graffiti, fly-tipping, household refuse problems and inappropriate disposal of business waste.
Jackie Armitage, enforcement and environment manager at the council, said: "Environmental crime costs the council an estimated £0.5 million every year and can have a huge impact on the appearance of the city and people's perceptions of it.
"As well as issuing fixed penalty fines to anyone caught dropping litter, the team will also be working to trace flytippers, and helping the police tighten the net on those creating graffiti.
"We hope that the new team will bring real improvements to the appearance of the city at street level."
The two appointed officers will cover half of the city each - Mark Hebblethwaite will be responsible for the West and South whilst Sam Watling will cover the East and North. Both officers will routinely monitor refuse problems, visiting businesses and campaigning on litter. They will also target cigarette litter and fast food litter using a variety of methods to get communicate their messages to residents, businesses and schools.
Anyone wanting to report instances of environmental crime, or who may have information about those responsible should contact the council's York Pride Action Line on 01904 551551.
A dedicated two-person environmental enforcement team has been formed to tackle all forms of environmental crime, including littering, graffiti, fly-tipping, household refuse problems and inappropriate disposal of business waste.
Jackie Armitage, enforcement and environment manager at the council, said: "Environmental crime costs the council an estimated £0.5 million every year and can have a huge impact on the appearance of the city and people's perceptions of it.
"As well as issuing fixed penalty fines to anyone caught dropping litter, the team will also be working to trace flytippers, and helping the police tighten the net on those creating graffiti.
"We hope that the new team will bring real improvements to the appearance of the city at street level."
The two appointed officers will cover half of the city each - Mark Hebblethwaite will be responsible for the West and South whilst Sam Watling will cover the East and North. Both officers will routinely monitor refuse problems, visiting businesses and campaigning on litter. They will also target cigarette litter and fast food litter using a variety of methods to get communicate their messages to residents, businesses and schools.
Anyone wanting to report instances of environmental crime, or who may have information about those responsible should contact the council's York Pride Action Line on 01904 551551.
