Litter louts face fines of up to £80 under new powers granted to local authorities, set to take effect next week. The increase from the previous £50 penalty is part of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, aimed at cracking down on anti-social behaviour.
Councils will also gain the ability to clear rubbish from their land, stop the distribution of flyers in designated areas, and fine take-away food shops that refuse to clean up litter outside their premises. Additionally, new dog control orders may impose restrictions on the number of dogs walked by a single person.
Burglar alarms must be silenced within 20 minutes under the new rules, giving councils further powers to address noise complaints. Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett emphasised the importance of these measures, stating: 'People want clean, safe and quiet neighbourhoods.'
Beckett added that local authorities requested these powers to improve neighbourhoods and punish offenders, and the government expects councils to use them extensively over the next 12 months.
