Ever been caught out by a pesky little enforcement officer? We have mapped the fine hot spots of Hackney so you can avoid a £50 fine for something as innocent as dropping an apple core.
Freedom of Information requests to Hackney Council have shown the council focuses on four wards to issue litter enforcement fines, focussing on nightlife hotspots like Shoreditch.
The vast majority of Hackney’s boroughs have no fines issued.
Hackney’s litter hot spots – where most fines have been issued:
Residents will be concerned that £34,000 has been raised through enforcement fines, despite Hackney having no specialist litter enforcement officers.
“Councils want people to litter”
This has led to dismay amongst residents and campaigners against greater government intrusion.
Josie Appleton, founder of civil liberties group the Manifesto Club, said: “When litter become such a lucrative source of revenue, councils want people to litter. It has become a racket for them, a money making enterprise.
“Litter officers have no interest in helping people change behaviours – every missed fine is missed income.
“For over 200 years it’s been established officials shouldn’t benefit from their position yet both council and private litter officers do.”
Utter Nonsense. Hackney has a litter problem. If people have no reason not to litter then they shall littler. If they don’t litter there is no fine and no profit and no article. Simple. Stop littering. Easy.