PCSOs to tackle dog fouling and littering

Neighbourhood panels, residents and elected members throughout Adur and Worthing have been calling for more to be done about those who choose to harm the environment by dropping litter or allowing their dogs to foul pavements and open spaces.

As a result, PCSOs have been given fixed-penalty notice booklets to help make it easier to punish people caught littering or not picking up their pets’ waste.

Sergeant Hannah Shepard of the Adur and Worthing neighbourhood policing team said: “The vast majority of people act responsibly but unfortunately some do not and the evidence can be seen left behind on our pavements, in our parks and on our playgrounds.

“We hope this will be a deterrent and make individuals act more responsibly and clear up after themselves.”

PCSOs have attended training sessions from Adur and Worthing councils who gave officers from the neighbourhood policing team the powers to issue these fixed penalty notices.

Those offenders who litter or allow their dogs to foul and not pick it up can be given a fixed penalty of £75 or a maximum fine of up to £1,000 if found guilty at a magistrates’ court.

This close working arrangement with the local PCSO teams has the full backing of councillors Keith Dollemore and Clive Roberts, cabinet members for the environment at Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council respectively.

“Littering and dog fouling is constantly complained about by both residents and visitors,” said Mr Roberts.

“I am really pleased that Sussex Police are now helping us to tackle this nuisance by taking action against the small number of anti-social people that cause the problem, and I look forward to some seeing some prosecutions soon.”

Mr Dollemore said: “We know that it is only a minority of people who don’t clean up after themselves or their pets - but this small number create a disproportionately sized problem.

“Adur and Worthing should be clean spaces to be enjoyed by all and we are acting to keep them that way,” he added.

Dog Fouling complaints are regularly received by the councils’ dog warden service.

Guidance on Adur and Worthing councils’ wesite states: “Responsible dog owners know how simple it is to clear up their dogs’ waste.

“While allowing your dog to foul may only be a minor criminal offence, it is one that upsets local residents, can cause serious health risks, particularly to children and can give all dog owners a bad reputation.”