Nearly 1500 fines given for litter, parking and cycling incidents in North East Lincolnshire over six months

Almost 1,500 fines have been given out in Grimsby for litter, parking, cycling and other incidents over a six-month period. On average, 245 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) were issued per month, with the most - 294 - being given out in July.

North East Lincolnshire Council said 1,472 FPNs were issued over six months by Waste Investigations Support and Enforcement (WISE) officers in North East Lincolnshire from April to September 2024. The WISE enforcement team issue FPNs for issues including the infringement of parking restrictions, littering and breaching a Pubic Space Protection Order (PSPO) - an order in place to ensure that people can use and enjoy public spaces, living safely from anti-social behaviour.

In a statement, North East Lincolnshire Council said: "An order will specify an area where activities are taking place that are detrimental to the quality of life of those in the area and can impose conditions and restrictions on people using the specified area. Failing to comply with an order is a criminal offence, which can result in an FPN of £150 for littering and £100 for other offences or prosecution. If prosecuted, an individual could receive and FPN of up to £1,000."

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Within North East Lincolnshire there are a number of PSPOs. The orders cover a range of activities including cycling in prohibited areas and fishing without a permit.

These are issued by WISE officers and, in addition, WISE officers also enforce certain parking restrictions and issue penalty charge notices (PCNs).

Month by month this was the split:

• April – FPNs 135, PCNs 18, total 154

• May – FPNs 214, PCNs 15, total 229

• June – FPNs 176, PCNs 82, total 258

• July – FPNs 237, PCNs 57, total 294

• August – FPNs 260, PCNs 13, total 273

• September – FPNs 182, PCNs 83, total 265

Fixed Penalty Notices were issued for a range of issues such as littering, smoking in a smoke-free zone and breaching PSPOs.

April

• Littering – 66

• Littering from a vehicle – 14

• Smoking in a smoke free zone – 5

• Cycling PSPO – 50

• Dog Fouling PSPO – 1

• Parking – 18

May

• Littering – 95

• Smoke free – 2

• PSPO – 117

• Parking – 15

June

• Littering – 98

• Littering from a vehicle – 1

• Smoking in a smoke free zone – 5

• PSPO breaches – 72

• Parking – 82

July

• Littering – 79

• Littering from a vehicle – 1

• Smoking in a smoke free zone – 7

• PSPO breaches - 150

• Parking – 57

August

• Littering – 105

• Littering from a vehicle – 2

• Smoking in a smoke free zone – 1

• PSPO - 152

• Parking – 13

September

• Littering – 124

• Littering from a vehicle – 2

• Smoking in a smoke free zone – 10

• PSPO - 46

• Parking – 83

Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, Councillor Ron Shepherd, said: “These statistics are proof that what we’re doing is working. There is clearly a need for these officers and they are working hard to make the borough a safe and comfortable place.

“Those found to be breaching parking conventions or PSPOs will be dealt with accordingly. As these numbers prove, there are consequences to your actions and I implore people to follow the rules to make North East Lincolnshire a better place for everyone.”