Crackdown on litter louts in South Ayrshire

May 29 2009

LITTER louts won’t be tolerated on the streets of South Ayrshire.

For police and council chiefs have teamed up to make them clean up their act.

Fixed penalties were issued to those caught flouting the law in the latest crackdown.

And authorities insist that they’re deadly serious about tackling the problem.

Police took to the streets with council litter wardens during a Keep Scotland Beautiful day of action.

The event followed the publication of research showing that 46 per cent of those surveyed admitting to dropping litter.

And shockingly they believed that low level anti-social behaviour like their own is not regarded seriously by authorities.

The teams spent the day patrolling the streets and open spaces, educating and issuing warnings to under 16s caught littering.

Three adults were given £50 fines after they were caught dumping their rubbish on the street.

South Ayrshire’s environment spokesman, Councillor Peter Convery, said: “Keeping our local environment free of litter is very important and it is the responsibility of everyone in the community to dispose of litter properly.

“There is no need to drop litter, it can be placed in litter bins or taken home and disposed of there.

“I would like to thank everyone in South Ayrshire who gives up their time to help improve our environment.”

Litter is top of the list of concerns from residents in most communities.

And authorities say they will continue to take it seriously and enforce the law.

Inspector John Cairns from Ayr police office said: “Local community policing team officers fully understand that litter is an important issue to local communities.

“On the day officers provided information and guidance where appropriate and when necessary enforcement action was taken.

“This approach will continue to deal with those who choose not to dispose of their litter properly.”

And John Summers, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, pointed out: “By continuing to educate people, provide better services and issue fines we are united in our approach to make our communities safer, stronger, greener and cleaner.”