Traffic wardens to crackdown on litter louts (From Daily Echo)
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Traffic wardens to crackdown on litter louts
7:18am Wednesday 19th September 2012 in News
By Matt Smith, Politics and business reporter
Traffic wardens to be given powers to fine litterbugs
TRAFFIC wardens in Southampton are to wage war on the city’s litterbugs.
The council’s parking attendants are being given powers by Hampshire police chiefs to hand out on-the-spot fines of £75 for littering.
The crackdown comes after figures reveal the council handed out just 30 fixed-penalty notices for littering in the past 12 months, and just four for dog fouling.
Around 30 parking and enforcement officers will receive a certificate giving them the power to fine litter bugs under the police community safety accreditation scheme (CSAS).
Some council enforcement officers already have powers to issue fixed penalties for certain offences.
The scheme could be later extended to neighbourhood wardens, park rangers, housing association staff and environmental health officers.
Councillor Asa Thorpe, Cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “Our accredited parking and enforcement officers will now be able to fine people for littering ensuring that Southampton’s remains a clean, bright and green city.
“Police forces that have introduced CSAS within their communities have reported a reduction in antisocial behaviour like littering.”
The council’s new Labour administration has pledged to provide a more “joined-up” approach to enforcing low level crime and antisocial behaviour.
Tory opposition leader councillor Royston Smith welcomed the move to empower the traffic wardens who he called the “eyes and the ears of the council”.
The CSAS was introduced by the Police Reform Act 2002 to delegate certain powers to organisations carrying out community safety and security functions.
Other Hampshire councils, security firms and the AA have been given various powers under the act, from requiring names and address for antisocial behaviour and confiscating alcohol and tobacco from youths to issuing to fines for dog fouling and controlling traffic.
To obtain accreditation for its traffic wardens Southampton City Council had to satisfy police that they were properly trained and supervised and a satisfactory complaints procedure is in place.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 makes it an offence to throw down, drop or otherwise deposit litter in a public place.
Comments(33)
bigfella777
says...
7:39am Wed 19 Sep 12
seventh-junction
says...
7:47am Wed 19 Sep 12
Rockhopper
says...
8:19am Wed 19 Sep 12
Therefore start monitoring areas at these time to catch the irresponsible dog owners.
Driving around in a van during the day will achieve little as your results show.
nedscrumpo
says...
8:27am Wed 19 Sep 12
nedscrumpo
says...
8:29am Wed 19 Sep 12
AndyAndrews
says...
8:51am Wed 19 Sep 12
chunky_lover
says...
8:53am Wed 19 Sep 12
Bevois Valley Resident
says...
8:54am Wed 19 Sep 12
nedscrumpo wrote:Or just don't drop rubbish or let your dog mess on the pavement in the first place.
Just give a false name and address; they can't search you.
forestexbury
says...
9:33am Wed 19 Sep 12
Huffter
says...
9:57am Wed 19 Sep 12
nedscrumpo wrote:What a nice person you are - encouraging people to tell lies to cover up something they've done wrong... do you have many friends?
Just give a false name and address; they can't search you.
Lockssmart
says...
10:18am Wed 19 Sep 12
Maine Lobster
says...
10:22am Wed 19 Sep 12
malcher
says...
10:30am Wed 19 Sep 12
S!monOn
says...
10:33am Wed 19 Sep 12
But, one question - how are they to prove someone littered? Do they take a picture or rely on CCTV?
S!monOn
says...
10:35am Wed 19 Sep 12
Murfster
says...
11:26am Wed 19 Sep 12
Paramjit Bahia
says...
11:47am Wed 19 Sep 12
Real 'Police' jobs and budgets are being cut, this could not only be PR exercise for policing on the cheap but also start of destruction of institution Independent Police. Bit by bit passing more and more 'policing' powers to commercial organisations, starting with respectable names like the AA and progressing to privateer greed motivated sharks like Capita or may be even to foreign firms could be next step.
Possibility of extremist organisations posing as community or neighbourhood organisations for acquiring policing powers could also be lurking around.
Considering Police Reform Act 2002 was the work of Blair led government, proven masters in misleading, possibilities of hidden agendas should not be ruled out.
sarfhamton
says...
11:50am Wed 19 Sep 12
ToastyTea wrote:ToastyTea, do you really think Polish people are genetically predisposed to drop litter?
Be good if something was done about the litterers, often see disgusting people (mainly Polish and chavs) just chucking their rubbish on the floor in town, can't really see them listening to a traffic warden though, I'm sure a polite F Off will ensue.
Have you been to Poland? I have and it was not strewn with litter mate,
Lone Ranger.
says...
12:06pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Paramjit Bahia wrote:Surely this does not do away with police powers to caution someone for dropping litter ........... but adds "power" to another body ...... thus "doubling" the effort ....................
Good idea but intentions behind it could be questionable.
Real 'Police' jobs and budgets are being cut, this could not only be PR exercise for policing on the cheap but also start of destruction of institution Independent Police. Bit by bit passing more and more 'policing' powers to commercial organisations, starting with respectable names like the AA and progressing to privateer greed motivated sharks like Capita or may be even to foreign firms could be next step.
Possibility of extremist organisations posing as community or neighbourhood organisations for acquiring policing powers could also be lurking around.
Considering Police Reform Act 2002 was the work of Blair led government, proven masters in misleading, possibilities of hidden agendas should not be ruled out.
.....
crabbit
says...
12:15pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Paramjit Bahia
says...
12:20pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Lone Ranger. wrote:I clearly said it appears to be a good idea, but can you guarantee that this won't be the start of slippery slope to something else?
Paramjit Bahia wrote:Surely this does not do away with police powers to caution someone for dropping litter ........... but adds "power" to another body ...... thus "doubling" the effort ....................
Good idea but intentions behind it could be questionable.
Real 'Police' jobs and budgets are being cut, this could not only be PR exercise for policing on the cheap but also start of destruction of institution Independent Police. Bit by bit passing more and more 'policing' powers to commercial organisations, starting with respectable names like the AA and progressing to privateer greed motivated sharks like Capita or may be even to foreign firms could be next step.
Possibility of extremist organisations posing as community or neighbourhood organisations for acquiring policing powers could also be lurking around.
Considering Police Reform Act 2002 was the work of Blair led government, proven masters in misleading, possibilities of hidden agendas should not be ruled out.
.....
ToastyTea
says...
12:36pm Wed 19 Sep 12
sarfhamton wrote:No but I have seen alot of them drop litter around town, especially around st marys where lots of them drunk.
ToastyTea wrote: Be good if something was done about the litterers, often see disgusting people (mainly Polish and chavs) just chucking their rubbish on the floor in town, can't really see them listening to a traffic warden though, I'm sure a polite F Off will ensue.ToastyTea, do you really think Polish people are genetically predisposed to drop litter? Have you been to Poland? I have and it was not strewn with litter mate,
sarfhamton
says...
1:00pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Polish people have settled in the area since the 2nd world war and made great contributions to the city and the wider area.
I don't think it is right to turn an article about litter into a point about peoples nationality.
malcher
says...
1:46pm Wed 19 Sep 12
sarfhamton wrote:Couldn't agree more. On my visit to Polish cities I've found the people friendly, as most of them are here, if you engage with them, and the streets a lot cleaner than they are here!
ToastyTea wrote: Be good if something was done about the litterers, often see disgusting people (mainly Polish and chavs) just chucking their rubbish on the floor in town, can't really see them listening to a traffic warden though, I'm sure a polite F Off will ensue.ToastyTea, do you really think Polish people are genetically predisposed to drop litter? Have you been to Poland? I have and it was not strewn with litter mate,
bigfella777
says...
1:49pm Wed 19 Sep 12
sarfhamton wrote:Ive been to Poland too and no they dont drop litter,do you know why? Because they get fined for it.They also get fined for crossing the street anywhere but on a pedestrian crossing.We could learn a lot from the Poles.
ToastyTea wrote:ToastyTea, do you really think Polish people are genetically predisposed to drop litter?
Be good if something was done about the litterers, often see disgusting people (mainly Polish and chavs) just chucking their rubbish on the floor in town, can't really see them listening to a traffic warden though, I'm sure a polite F Off will ensue.
Have you been to Poland? I have and it was not strewn with litter mate,
bobbyboy
says...
3:17pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Shoong
says...
3:25pm Wed 19 Sep 12
bobbyboy wrote:That's true but it's not McDonald's dropping the litter is it? It's those who buy the product.
why not fine the fast food chains as well as most of the rubbish is there's isnt it Mcdonalds Swaythling the area is strewn with there discarded food packets. Stop the take aways and the rubbish mountain will tumble and at the same time replace the wire bins that used to be attached to nearly every lamp post then there will be no excuses what so ever. Still concerned at the slow privatization of the police force though still the clampers will have to design another metal boot to fit humans so they cant leg it as suggested by the minority on here.
tootle
says...
3:29pm Wed 19 Sep 12
crabbit wrote:So, I do not drop litter, never have, never will. However I cringe at the thought of Parking Wardens being given more powers than they already have. In my experience most wardens appear to be self satisfied jobsworths with the generosity of a gnat. All the locals will do is raise a finger if they are lucky - and they have to catch them first - do Wardens have to pass stringent fitness tests?. As to dog mess, our road is covered with the stuff, it is one rather ugly looking yob, who was approached weeks ago by hubby with a polite request to remove the mess and suggested hubby ***** ****** ***** ******** ******** ***** ********* off. Would love to see a traffic warden hairing after that one, especially as dog's temperament closely resembles owners by all account.
If people take a little pride in the city they live in and be decent law abiding citizens then there is nothing to worry about it there
Georgem
says...
4:37pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Shoong wrote:It's a fair point, though, I think. It may not be McDonalds dropping the litter, but it is them providing it. I don't think it's unreasonable for them to try and quell that a little.
bobbyboy wrote:That's true but it's not McDonald's dropping the litter is it? It's those who buy the product.
why not fine the fast food chains as well as most of the rubbish is there's isnt it Mcdonalds Swaythling the area is strewn with there discarded food packets. Stop the take aways and the rubbish mountain will tumble and at the same time replace the wire bins that used to be attached to nearly every lamp post then there will be no excuses what so ever. Still concerned at the slow privatization of the police force though still the clampers will have to design another metal boot to fit humans so they cant leg it as suggested by the minority on here.
rightway
says...
5:20pm Wed 19 Sep 12
More power to the Traffic Wardens.
100%HANTSBOY
says...
5:58pm Wed 19 Sep 12
bobbyboy wrote:Very true,but if you put litter bins up everywhere they have to be emptied and I'm not sure the council will pay for that.
why not fine the fast food chains as well as most of the rubbish is there's isnt it Mcdonalds Swaythling the area is strewn with there discarded food packets. Stop the take aways and the rubbish mountain will tumble and at the same time replace the wire bins that used to be attached to nearly every lamp post then there will be no excuses what so ever. Still concerned at the slow privatization of the police force though still the clampers will have to design another metal boot to fit humans so they cant leg it as suggested by the minority on here.
BillyTheKid
says...
8:17pm Wed 19 Sep 12
100%HANTSBOY wrote:Anybody remember the song "Alices Restaurant" ? All about littering in the USA, and getting arrested ! Arlo Guthrie.
bobbyboy wrote:Very true,but if you put litter bins up everywhere they have to be emptied and I'm not sure the council will pay for that.
why not fine the fast food chains as well as most of the rubbish is there's isnt it Mcdonalds Swaythling the area is strewn with there discarded food packets. Stop the take aways and the rubbish mountain will tumble and at the same time replace the wire bins that used to be attached to nearly every lamp post then there will be no excuses what so ever. Still concerned at the slow privatization of the police force though still the clampers will have to design another metal boot to fit humans so they cant leg it as suggested by the minority on here.
I wonder how many wardens we'll have left after they've done a few weeks of "Oh Yes You Did Oh No I Didn't !" ?
LeTissiersEarLobe says...
7:37am Wed 19 Sep 12