Environment \ Environmental Health

Litter

Newry and Mourne District Council has a zero tolerance policy in relation to all litter offences detected. The Environmental Health department has two enforcement officers who patrol the district looking for litter offenders and who also investigate cases of litter and illegal dumping. Other officers in the department are also authorised to investigate litter offences.

FIXED PENALTY NOTICES

Under the Litter (NI) Order 1994 a person detected throwing down and leaving behind any type of litter, even a cigarette butt, can be given an on the spot £50 Fixed Penalty Fine.

Upon receiving a Fixed Penalty Notice the person has fourteen days to pay. The fine can be paid by post, by sending a cheque or postal order, made payable to Newry & Mourne District Council, and sent to the address on the Notice. Payment can also be made in person at the address on the notice, by cheque, postal order, cash or credit card. Credit card payments can also be accepted by telephoning 028 3031 3100.

A Fixed Penalty fine does not carry a criminal record and need not be disclosed on official application forms.

Failure to pay a Fixed Penalty fine will result in a court summons being issued. Conviction for a litter offence in court carries a criminal record and a maximum fine of £2,500.

What can I do if I witness a litter offence?

If you want to report a litter offence telephone 028 3031 3100 or e mail ehealth@newryandmourne.gov.uk.

Please state the date, time and location of the littering offence and the name and address of the alleged offender if known. Or where a vehicle is involved state the registration and description of the vehicle, together with what was thrown down or dumped.

If the litter is thrown from a car, record the following details:
• Licence Number and type of vehicle
• Road or Street Name
• Date and time of offence
• What was dumped
• Description of offender and other occupants of car if witnessed

Please leave your own name, address and telephone number for verification purposes. You may be asked to give a witness statement.

The Council enforcement officers will then investigate your complaint.

If you see a littering offence in the Newry area please report it to us. Help us to “KEEP NEWRY AND MOURNE CLEAN’

Links :
www.tidynorthernireland.org