Environmental crime

Environmental Crime covers the following areas:

  • Dog fouling
  • Flytipping
  • Graffiti and Flyposting
  • Litter

Your local authority is often responsible for Environmental Crime.

Dog fouling

Cleaning up after your dog is part of the deal of dog ownership. If you allow your dog to foul in a designated public place and you fail to clean up after it you are breaking the law. Designated public places include:

  • Parks and recreation grounds
  • Children's playgrounds and sports grounds
  • Picnic sites
  • Pedestrianised areas and pavements
  • Verges and footpaths
  • Gutters and carriageways

Carry plastic bags with you and clear up after your pet. If there are no designated poop bins nearby you may double bag it and safely dispose of it in any litter bin, or take it home and put it in your own bin.

Legal implication: Dogs (Fouling of Land ) Act 1996 s3: maximum penalty £1000. Councils have the power to issue a £50 fixed penalty fine, which are issued through Enforcement Officers.

If you are concerned about dog fouling in your area, please contact:

Authority Telephone number Website
Cheshire East Council 0300 123 5500 http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/community_and_living/
community_safety/dog_wardens/dog_warden_faq.aspx
Cheshire West and Chester Council 0300 123 7026 http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/system_pages/
search.aspx?cx=010299060264464615655%3A995hrfap5w0&ie=UTF-8&q=dog+fouling
Halton Borough Council 0303 333 4300 http://www.halton.gov.uk/
Warrington Borough Council 01925 443000 http://www.warrington.gov.uk/

Flytipping

Flytipping is the illegal deposit of waste onto land. Whether it's an old sofa or mattress, or drums of chemicals that are dumped, it's a serious offence. Local authorities often provide a collection service for large items but sometimes there is a fee.

Legal implication: Environmental Protection Act 1990 s33, maximum penalty two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

If you are concerned about fly tipping in your area, please contact:

Authority Telephone number Website
Cheshire East Council 0300 123 5500 http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/
Cheshire West and Chester Council 0300 123 7026 To report flytipping, please fill out this form:
http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/online_services/report_it/
streetscene_online_forms/flytipping_report_form.aspx
To report an abandoned car, please fill out the following form:
https://forms.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/showform.aspx?form=~sitecollection/formservertemplates/cw_vehicle_attach
.xsn&redirect=www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=7142
Halton Borough Council 0303 333 4300 http://www.halton.gov.uk/
Warrington Borough Council “One Stop Shop” on 01925 443322 http://www.warrington.gov.uk/

Graffiti and flyposting

Local authorities provide advertising space to advertise local events to prevent flyposting. Graffiti is an illegal activity which creates a negative impression of an area and contributes to people’s fear of crime. Councils will attempt to remove offensive graffiti within 24 hours of reporting.

If you are concerned about graffiti and flyposting in your area, please contact:

Authority Telephone Number Website
Cheshire East Council Congleton: 01270 529 599
Crewe: 01270 537813		 http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/
Cheshire West and Chester   To report graffiti and vandalism by filling out this form: http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/online_services/report_it/
streetscene_online_forms/report_graffiti_and_vandalism.aspx
Halton Borough Council 0303 333 4300 http://www.halton.gov.uk/
Warrington Borough Council “One Stop Shop” on 01925 443322 http://www.warrington.gov.uk/

Litter

Leaving litter in a public place is an offence with a maximum penalty of £2,500. If litter bins are full, there is no excuse for not taking your litter home and disposing of it properly, particularly drivers. Contact your local authority if you want to request the emptying of a full litter bin.

Legal implication: Environmental Protection Act 1990 s87, maximum penalty £2500. The average fine is around £95.

If you are concerned about litter in your area, please contact:

Authority Telephone number Website
Cheshire East Council   http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/
Cheshire West and Chester Council 0300 123 7026 http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/
Halton Borough Council 0303 333 4300 http://www.halton.gov.uk/
Warrington Borough Council.  “One Stop Shop” on 01925 443322. http://www.warrington.gov.uk/

Parking

Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington

Since 2007, the responsibility for enforcing waiting, loading and static parking regulations in the local authority areas of Warrington, Cheshire East and Cheshire West was transferred from the police to the councils. Called Decriminalised Parking Enforcement or Civil Parking Enforcement, parking offences will no longer be criminal offences but will become civil offences.

Parking fines, as known as Penalty Charge Notices, are issued and collected by local authorities, not the police.

Responsibility will remain with the police for endorseable parking offences and obstruction. The police will still be responsible for enforcing the regulations involving moving traffic or offences involving obstruction of the highways.

Halton

There are currently no charges made for either on street or off-street parking offences in Halton.