Consett and Stanley draft in dirtbusters to beat litter louts

Jul 2 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

If the softly softly approach does not work, they will then get tough by slapping fines on the offenders. Ian Hoult, streetscene area manager (North) for Durham County Council, said the appearances of the two towns had suffered because of the lack of street wardens.

Last year nobody was prosecuted for dropping litter in either Consett or Stanley.

In contrast 52 litter louts were fined in Durham City, 100 in South Tyneside and a whopping 856 in Newcastle, where the council employs six full-time enforcers. Mr Hoult said: “The month-long campaign will see council wardens walk the streets in the Derwentside area, which traditionally has had very little environmental enforcement, to educate people on dropping litter and picking up dog foul.

“We are committed to improving the local environment, and this is supported by our top-class street cleansing teams. We also want to work positively with local people to educate and encourage them to take responsibility for their actions. We will follow up with enforcement action, as, at the end of the day, it’s everyone’s responsibility to look after our local environment.”