Environmental crime

Tackling environmental crime

Keeping our city clean is an important commitment for Plymouth, and we are working hard to ensure we can all enjoy our public spaces.

In December 2018, we decided to increase our in house capacity to add extra enforcement officers to the streets and open spaces of the city. These officers will be able to issue fixed penalty notices either on the spot or by post for the following offences:

How much do offenders have to pay?

The amount that you could be fined will depend on the nature of the offence.

Offence Fine
Dropping litter, including chewing gum, spitting in the street or from your vehicle £150
Not clearing up your dog’s mess or keeping your dog under control in a public area £150
Fly posting £150
Fly-tipping £400

How can fines be paid?

All fines will have a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) reference number and must be paid within the time specified in the Notice.

For a fine issued by Plymouth City Council, either in person or by post. (Either a 6 digit reference number or a number starting with 'FS')

Pay a Fixed Penalty Notice issued by Plymouth City Council

 

If you don’t pay your fine within 14 days, you could get taken to court where you could be fined up to £2,500 for littering and £1000 for dog offences. There is no limit for fly tipping fines. You may get a criminal record.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if you’re stopped?

If an enforcement officer sees you commit an environmental crime they will ask for your name and address so they can issue you with a Fixed Penalty Notice. If you refuse to give your details, the officer will be able to use the information they’ve recorded on their body cameras. This information is often enough to identify someone. It is an offence to withhold your name and address and you could also be charged with an obstruction offence.

How do I know if the officer is genuine?

The enforcement officers wear Plymouth City Council uniforms with logos on them. They also carry Plymouth City Council identification and warrant cards to identify themselves. On occasion officers will be out of uniform, however they will always carry warrant cards and identification. E.g. on dog fouling patrols.

Will you be issuing Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) to children?

FPNs will not be served if you are under 18.  You will be asked to show some ID to prove your age.  If you cannot show you are under 18 you will be issued with an FPN but you can write to the e-mail address below.  We will be providing education and words of advice to young people who offend.

Will the officers only be in the city centre?

No, the officers will be patrolling in all areas of the city, including parks and open spaces.

Seen it? Report it.

Everyone wants to be proud of Plymouth and to live in a clean and tidy city. So if you see someone commit a littering, fly tipping or dog fouling offence, you can report it to our team here.

Report a littering offence

 

Report fly tipping

 

Report dog fouling

 

I don't agree with the FPN, what can I do?

There is no legal appeal against an FPN. It is a criminal offence. You can pay the FPN to discharge your liability for the offence or the case will be considered for prosecution in the Magistrates Court. You can put your case to the Magistrates Court if you do not agree with the FPN.

We will consider written representations in certain circumstances and only within 14 days of the FPN being issued. We will only accept these by using the form on the FPN Make a representation link below. We do not accept representations if you did not know enforcement was being carried out, if it was the first time you had committed the offence or that you were not aware of the law.

You will receive a response to your representation if it is made in the time limit. If the representation is accepted, the case will be closed and you will hear nothing else from us. If the representation is rejected you will have a further 7 days to pay the FPN.

The Council are pursuing cases of enviro-crime through the Magistrates Court. Convictions can lead to a fine, court costs and a criminal record, imposed by the Magistrates or Crown Court.

Typical outcomes for prosecutions for enviro-crime cases are available on our press releases page.  

FPN Make a representation

 

 Litter poster [PDF, 401KB]

 Flyposting poster [PDF, 355KB]

 Dog mess poster [PDF, 518KB]