Three people seen littering who refused to pay £50 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) have been fined £220 each at Crawley Magistrates’ Court.
Crawley Borough Council’s Community Wardens witnessed the littering incidents in the town centre in August and September and handed out FPNs.
These FPNs would have cost £50 if paid within seven days, rising to £80 if paid within 14 days.
All three refused to pay and were prosecuted by the council for non-payment. Each person received a fine of £220, a victim surcharge of £32 and costs of £60 – a total of £312 each.
Crawley Borough Council introduced a zero-tolerance policy last year following an increase in litter.
Littering not only looks unsightly but encourages pests such as rats, which carry diseases and parasites that can be harmful to humans.
Councillor Gurinder Jhans, Cabinet member for Environmental Services and Sustainability, said: “We are working hard to deal with fly-tipping and littering across the town. It’s unsightly, costly and has a detrimental effect on the environment.
“These fines send a strong message that if you dispose of rubbish illegally you’re likely to be caught, receive a fixed penalty notice or be prosecuted and handed a hefty financial penalty. “Littering is completely unacceptable, this is why we introduced a zero-tolerance policy. No one wants our town looking messy or filled with rubbish, so for every litter fixed penalty notice that is not paid, we will prosecute.”
For more information, visit www.crawley.gov.uk/communitywardens
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