A NEW team of six ‘enforcers’ will be out and about in Pendle later this month targetting litter bugs and irresponsible dog owners.

Officers working for Pendle Borough Council will be patrolling Barnoldswick and Earby after a survey of residents revealed littering and dog fouling was high on a list of priorities.

Council leader, Cllr Paul White, said: “We’ve listened to residents and we’re taking tough action to clamp down on those who litter and on people who don’t clean up after their dogs. The aim is simply to make Pendle a cleaner place, because it’s infuriating for those residents who do look after our area to see others spoiling it”.

The council made the decision in early December to take on the team of enforcement officers for a 12 month trial at no cost to the council.

Cllr White added: “The new team of uniformed enforcers with cameras will be hitting the streets on Monday, February 18 and will be giving people who litter or don’t clear up after their dogs strong warnings.But from Monday February 25, they’ll be getting tough and issuing on the spot fines.”

Littering is an environmental crime and the fine for littering has recently increased to £150, or £80 for early payment and the fine for dog fouling has increased from £75 to £100.

People are also being encouraged to flag up problem hotspots for both littering and dog fouling online at:pendle.gov.uk/doitonline