Report environmental crime
It's anti-social behaviour that is detrimental to the environment and affects the quality of life. It includes:-
- Fly-tipping
- Dog fouling
- Littering
- Putting out household waste on the wrong day
Fly-tipping
Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste. It doesn't matter if it's an old mattress, a load of old tyres or bin bags of rubbish it is all fly-tipping and is a serious offence carrying a penalty if six months in prison and /or a fine of up to £40,000 on summary conviction or 2 years in prison and /or unlimited fine on indictment.
Liverpool City Council have successfully prosecuted over a dozen fly-tippers and there are many more awaiting prosecution.
Helpful advice
If you are a householder the Council provides a collection service to collect large items such as sofas. For more details ring Bulky Bobs by calling Liverpool Direct on 0151 233 3001.
Alternatively, for a small fee, many retailers will remove the item you are replacing when they deliver the new one. Ask them before you buy.
To report fly-tipping contact Liverpool Direct on 0151 233 3001.
Dog fouling
We all know how unpleasant it is to step in dog mess but it can also be dangerous for young children because of the parasites that can be transferred from dogs to humans.
If you allow your dog to foul in a public place and don't immediately clean it up you are committing an offence. If you are caught you will face a fixed penalty of £50, which if you fail to pay will land you in court facing a fine of up to £1,000 and a bill for the costs of taking there. Not only that but you will have to declare that you have been convicted of a criminal offence for at least five years - so you may be refused entry to counties like the U.S.A.
Liverpool City Council have issued over 100 fixed penalty notices for dog fouling since April 2006 and have taken a number of people to court. One lady was fined £100 and ordered to pay £200 in costs.
Helpful advice
When you take a dog for a walk always carry plastic bags. If there are no designated bins close by, double bag it and put it in any litter bin or take it home and put it in your own bin.
To report dog fouling ring Liverpool Direct on 0151 233 3001.
Littering
Dropping your cigarette butts, drinks cans or sweet paper on the ground and leaving them is not only antisocial but an offence and it can be costly. If you are caught you will be issued with a fixed penalty fine of £75 which if you fail to pay you may end up in court facing a fine of up to £2,500 and a bill for the costs of taking you there. Not only that but you will have to declare that you have been convicted of a criminal offence for at least five years - so you may be refused entry to counties like the U.S.A.
And don't think that by leaving your empty sandwich wrapper or drinks can on the bench where you ate your lunch doesn't count as littering - it does and you could be fined.
Don't throw litter out of the window of your car - you can be traced you from the registration number of your vehicle.
Liverpool City Council issued nearly 900 fixed penalty notices for littering since April 2006.
Helpful advice
If you can't give up smoking carry a tin for stubbing out and storing your cigarette butts until you can throw them in a rubbish bin.
To report littering ring Liverpool Direct on 0151 233 3001.
Putting out household waste on the wrong day
Leaving bins and bin bags out on the wrong day cause nuisance and frequently results in bags being ripped open by stray dogs and cats and litter and household waste being strewn around the streets encouraging rats and spoiling the environment. This is another form of fly-tipping which costs the Council Tax payer around 4 million pounds a year to clean up.
If you leave your bin bag out on the wrong day you could face a fixed penalty of £100 or if taken to court face a fine of up to £1,000.
Since April 2006 Liverpool City Council have issued 18 fixed penalty notices for leaving bin bags out on the wrong day and has successfully prosecuted 4 householders with fines and costs totally £1,250.
Check when your collection day is. Don't put your bin out before 6.30pm the evening before collection and take it in as soon as possible after collection.
To report bins and bin bags being left out on the wrong day ring Liverpool Direct on 0151 233 3001.
For further information please email enforcement@liverpool.gov.uk or call 0151 233 3001.