Croydon Council is reviewing its Environmental Enforcement Policy that sets out a zero-tolerance approach to tackling environmental crimes such as fly-tipping and abandoned or nuisance vehicles across the borough.
Fly-tipping and such crimes ruin Croydon’s streets and can lead to other types of antisocial behaviour. The cost to the taxpayer in dealing with these behaviours is unacceptable – last year the Council spent over £1m clearing fly-tips.
The Environment Enforcement Policy sets out the Council’s approach to tackling the issues. It aims to get people and businesses to comply with the law to improve the look and feel of the borough.
The policy proposes a proportionate, fair and effective approach with each case decided on its merits. The Council will consider several factors such as the seriousness of issues and past or current compliance issues with individuals or businesses before issuing penalties. Consequences will range from providing advice to Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs), formal cautions and prosecutions.
The policy covers a range of antisocial behaviours and environmental crimes, including fly-tipping, graffiti, licensing offences, noise and poor conditions of privately rented properties.
The proposed approach encourages the Council to work with individuals and businesses who wish to comply with the law by helping with information, advice and support to help. This type of stepped enforcement has been proven to have longer term positive impacts compared to immediate penalties.
The Council would like to hear the views of residents, partners, businesses and anyone interested in reducing environmental crime within the borough through a short survey. The survey will be open until 13 August.
“It is not fair that Croydon residents have to keep paying for the clean up of these criminal acts.
“We recognise that some people break the rules simply because they are unaware of what is expected. We want to work with them, educate them, and help them change their behaviour. But others choose to act antisocially because they believe there will be no consequence. This updated enforcement approach targets both groups – using education where it is needed, and firm enforcement where it is not. We will use a full range of enforcement tools to put a stop to this behaviour.
“We want to hear from as many people as possible through our survey on the proposed approach to hear views and ideas about how we tackle this important issue.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon