Environmental Enforcement

What can we do about Litter and Dog Fouling Offences

Dropping any article in a public place so as to cause its defacement (the act of "littering") is an offence under the Environmental protection Act, 1990 and Section 88. A person found littering can be prosecuted and may be fined up to £2500.

Under Section 59(2) of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 it is also an offence to fail to clean up after a dog has defaecated on designated land. The person in charge of the dog, even if not present, can be fined up to £1000.

For both these offences, authorized officers of the Local Authority can issue fixed penalty notices, which give offenders the opportunity to pay £75 to discharge any liability to prosecution. If a person is issued with a fixed penalty notice they have fourteen days to pay.

If you wish to report any littering or dog fouling please contact the Reactive Pollution Team at Maidstone borough Council either by writing to them at 13 Tonbridge Road Maidstone ME16 8HG, telephoning on 01622 602202.

Police Community Support Officers

These uniformed, police employees also have the power to issue fixed penalty notices. The penalty to be paid to the Local Authority.

Maidstone Borough Council and Kent Police have entered into an agreement setting out the arrangements for managing this process.