The council can issue fixed penalty notices (fines) for the offence of littering, dog fouling and fly tipping, under section 88 (1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Enforcement officers do not take photographs , officers only have to witness the offence - they will, however pick up the litter, as it may at a later date be used as an exhibit should a case go for prosecution.

A third party can report an incident, however we may not be able to issue a fine because the offence has to be witnessed by an authorised officer. If the person who witnessed the offence is certain of what they saw, we may take a statement and issue a fine afterwards depending on the details and circumstances.

Payment of fines

Fines should be paid within 14 days of issue or legal proceedings will be instigated.

Appeals

Appeals should be lodged within 14 days of the date of issue. As per reverse of fixed penalty notice, all appeals must be made in writing to:

Directortate of Urban Environment
Waste Care
Lister Road
Dudley
DY2 8JT 

DEFRA

DEFRA offer guidelines on the use of Fixed Penalty Notices and state that 'the public generally welcome the use of Fixed Penalties, provided that they are issued sensibly, enforced even handedly and are seen as a response to genuine problems.'