Get Behind Us - Launch

‘Get behind us’ – that’s the message to the general public as the town’s street wardens gear up to launch a new litter campaign.

Every week, Borough Council Street Scene staff collects more than 200 bags of litter from the streets alone. This is equal to 215 tonnes a year – the weight of 50 African elephants – and costs in region of £1 million every year to clean up.

As part of the new campaign, street wardens will have enforcement powers; which means they could people with a fixed penalty notice for £80 for dropping litter or £50 for dog fouling.

Failure to pay the fixed penalty could lead to prosecution.

The ‘Get Behind Us’ campaign is part of the Keep Britain Tidy Campaign, urging people to take responsibility for their litter and to dispose of it responsibly.

Recent surveys carried out by the Borough Council revealed that 52% of people felt litter was a problem in Tamworth, while 89% of residents supported a proactive approach to environmental crime.

Street wardens will also be educating people about litter and youngsters will be given the opportunity to take part in litter picks, in lieu of penalty payments.

Cllr Brian Beale, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said:

“The street wardens are the ‘eyes and ears’ of the town. Time and time again they are reporting back that litter is one of the public’s biggest concerns.

“We spend endless hours picking up other people’s litter – despite having almost 750 litter bins across the borough – to keep to town looking beautiful. The message is simple to those who needlessly drop rubbish: ‘continue to drop litter and we will take action’.”

Councillor Beale also explained that these new powers were ‘the last tool in the box’.

Street wardens currently carry out an education in schools across the borough to help drive the message home to them and their parents about littering.

The public can also ‘Get Behind Us’ by reporting littering – especially from cars – and dog fouling by phoning 01827 709709. Alternatively it can be reported online by clicking on the Report It Online button on the right.