People in Reading generally support a new team being given the power to crack down on littering and fly-tipping as they begin work this week.
Reading residents are generally on board with a new team starting this week to tackle littering and fly-tipping.
These issues have plagued the town for years, especially in the town centre and around bottle banks, which have become fly-tipping hotspots.
To combat this, Reading Borough Council has teamed up with Kingdom Services Group to issue fines to offenders caught in the act.
Those caught littering or improperly disposing of waste will receive a fixed penalty notice (FPN).
Locals see littering as a serious problem. A woman waiting for a bus in St Mary’s Butts remarked, "It really is quite bad, isn’t it? People shouldn’t be littering; it just gives a bad impression." She suggested taking inspiration from countries like Japan, known for their clean environments.
She added that stricter fines could help curb the issue, saying, "If it’s a great big fine, it’ll probably help." This sentiment was echoed by a man living near the town centre and two bystanders from Earley.
Vivienne Ballico commented on Facebook, stating she frequently picks up litter around her home, particularly due to a nearby secondary school. Meanwhile, Stephen Belgrave argued that instilling community pride would be more effective, saying, "Littering is a mindset!" He reminisced about being taught not to litter and passing that lesson to his children.
Another local, Mandy Price, simply suggested, "A few more bins about would help."
Fines for littering can reach up to £500, with penalties for fly-tipping increasing from £400 to £1,000. The enforcement team from Kingdom, equipped with body cams, began their work yesterday, as the council's resources are stretched with various environmental duties.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
