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The scheme involves the borough's network of nearly 300
CCTV cameras recording individuals littering before issuing an
image of the suspected offender for publication.
A unique reference number along with the time and date the
alleged offence took place will be attributed to each image, with a
request for people to identify anybody they recognise.
Potentially the pictures could appear on the council's website,
in the Newham Magazine that is distributed door-to-door and in the
local media.
Councillor June Leitch, executive member for crime and
anti-social behaviour, said: "The publication of these images
should act as a warning to people that we are determined to crack
down on anti-social behaviour. There is no excuse for dropping
litter and the message is simple - bin it or be prepared to pay the
penalty."
Newham Council is responsible for cleaning more than 375
kilometres of roads and pavements. Litter louts could face being
issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £80 once they have been
positively identified and then being prosecuted if they fail to pay
this.
Added Cllr Leitch: "If you think you know who these people are,
then we want to know about them.
"We want to impress on the small minority of people who act in
this anti-social way that their behaviour will not be tolerated. I
hope this scheme will act as a deterrent to people who think they
can get away with dropping litter on our streets.
"People tell us crime and anti-social behaviour is their main
concern. We are working hard to make Newham a better place to live
and work. Tackling environmental crime is a way of doing that.
"Anti-social behaviour has a serious impact on the lives of
thousands of residents and it can't be right that the vast majority
should have to pay the additional cost of cleaning-up after those
people who show no respect for the environment in which we
live."
Anyone who may know the identity of the litter louts can contact
the council's anti-social behaviour hotline on freephone 0800 731
3300 or complete the online reporting anti-social behaviour form on
www.newham.gov.uk |