New powers go into effect in London

London— New powers for local authorities to deal with a plethora of environmental crimes went into force April 6, 2006.

Measures under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act cover everything from noisy burglar alarms to abandoned trolleys and the perennial problem of litter.

The vast majority of measures under the Act are now in force - other measures to combat issues such as fly-tipping and abandoned vehicles were introduced last year.

This year, Defra will begin its most detailed ever survey of local environment quality which will be used to set new, challenging standards and target poor performers.

Minister for Local Environment Quality, Ben Bradshaw, said local authorities now had a ‘complete package’ of powers to make streets cleaner, safer and quieter. Some of these include:

Litter

•On the spot fines for littering raised to a higher maximum.
•Cigarette butts and chewing gum formally defined as litter.
•It is an offense to drop litter anywhere, including private land, rivers, ponds and lakes.
•Restrictions on the distribution of flyers, pamphlets and hand-outs.
•Require fast food outlets, stalls and mobile food vans to clear litter from their land.
•Require other businesses and individuals to clear litter from their land which may be attracting more litter.

Fly-posting

•On the spot fines raised to a higher maximum for those caught fly-posting.
•On the spot fines for those who leave domestic waste out at wrong times.
•Fines for businesses who are not registered to carry waste.
•Fines for businesses if they fail to produce required waste duty of care documentation.

Abandoned Cars

•Gives local authorities the power to remove abandoned cars from the streets immediately and to dispose of removed cars more quickly.
•On-the-spot fines now available for abandoned vehicles.

The complete Act is available at: www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2005/20050016.htm.