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 March 2018, we teamed up with Kingdom Security to add extra enforcement officers to the streets of the city. These officers will be able to issue on-the-spot fixed penalty notices 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, in the street or from your vehicle £80
Not clearing up your dog’s mess or keeping your dog under control in a public area £100
Fly posting £80
Fly-tipping £400

How can fines be paid?

All fines will have a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) reference number and must be paid within 14 days.

On the spot fine

For a fine issued on the spot there will be a 9 digit reference number.

Pay an on the spot Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN)

Fine issued in the post

For a fine issued in the post, there will be a 6 digit reference number.

Pay a Fixed Penalty Notice issued in the post

 

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 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.

How do I know if the officer is genuine?

The enforcement officers wear navy blue polo shirts with the Plymouth City Council and Kingdom logos on them. They also carry warrant cards to identify themselves.

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

We will be providing education and words of advice to young people who offend. Offenders may be asked to show an officer some ID.

Will the officers only be in the city centre?

No, the officers will be patrolling in all areas of the city.

Are the enforcement officers paid against the number of Fixed Penalty Notices they issue?

No. All our officers are paid a set hourly rate.

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 an offence

Complaints

There is no legal appeal against an FPN. It is a criminal offence. You can pay the fine to discharge your liability for prosecution, or the case will be considered for prosecution in the Magistrates Court.

If you have any complaints or feel that your fine was issued unfairly, please email environmentalcrime@plymouth.gov.uk

About Kingdom

Kingdom are an experienced company working with 45 other Local Authorities across the country, with the aim of encouraging positive behavior and provide a clear deterrent against Environmental Crime and to create great neighbourhoods where people love to live and fully understand what matters to people, regarding the areas they live in.