Litterers in Plymouth are set to have their pockets hit even harder in 2022.
From 1 January 2022, the fixed penalty notice given to people caught dropping litter will rise from £100 to £150.
The move brings the Council in line with the maximum amount that local authorities can demand for littering offences, based on government legislation
Councillor Maddi Bridgeman, Cabinet member for the Environment and Street Scene, said: "Making the decision to increase the fixed penalty notice for littering was one of the easiest decisions I have made since joining the cabinet.
"We promised to increase enforcement against environmental crime and that's exactly what this move does.
"The basic fact is that if you don't litter, you don't pay. But if you do decide to litter; you do decide to disrespect Plymouth and its residents with your actions, then get ready to find an additional £50. We want our resources to go on the right things, not cleaning up behind people who litter.”
Between January and October 2021, the Council has issued over 400 fixed penalty notices for littering.
The Council has the authority to use fixed penalty notices as an alternative to prosecution when dealing with environmental crimes including litter, dog control offences (fouling,) small-scale fly tipping, waste documentation offences, graffiti and flyposting.
As part of the move, fixed penalty notices for graffiti will rise from £80 to £150, while fly-posting will also go to £150. The fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping will remain at £400, the maximum permitted amount.
All of the revenue received from fixed penalty notices will go into paying for the service, with surplus invested into infrastructure and equipment to help keep the city clean.
More information on Environmental Enforcement can be found at plymouth.gov.uk/envirocrime