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Home Offences and fines

You can be fined and/or prosecuted!A man uploading a bin

You can be fined and/or prosecuted if you're caught:

  • dropping litter
  • not picking up after your dog fouls
  • dropping chewing gum
  • flytipping
  • graffiti

Litter penalty notices

It is a criminal offence to drop litter on the street or in a public area.  If you are caught dropping litter then you will be given a 'Litter Penalty Notice' also known as a 'Fixed Penalty Notice'.  Litter can be defined as anything that you drop in these areas from cigarette butts to sacks of rubbish.  If you do not pay the fine then you could end up in court where you could get a fine of up to £2,500 and a criminal record.

How much is the fine?

The fine is typically £80, however if you do pay within 10 days then it may get reduced to £50.

How to pay

If you have received a fixed penalty notice details of how to pay it are on the notice.

What happens next?

Once you have paid the fine you will hear no more from us.  If you don't pay the fine we may take further action.

Dog fouling

It is an offence if you do not pick up your dog's mess after it has fouled in a public area.  This includes roads, pathways and parks.  If you do not pick up after your dog then you can be fined £80. 

Chewing gum

Chewing gum is extremely difficult and expensive to remove, which is why we would prefer you to use our:

  • gum targets
  • litter bins
  • or wrap it up and take it home with you

Chewing gum does count as litter and therefore you can be fined and prosecuted if caught dropping it.

Gum targets

Gum targets are typically found in areas where there are a lot of people.  For example you can find them in:

  • Ilford Town Centre 
  • Barkingside High Street
  • Manford Way, Hainault

We encourage you to stick your chewing gum on these targets which are usually attached to lamp posts in these areas.  We try to select areas where there is a high number of people.  If you would like to suggest an area that will benefit from gum targets then please contact us.

Flytipping

Flytipping is where rubbish has been dumped onto any land without permission. It is an offence and anyone caught doing it may be liable for prosecution. If you know of anyone or witness an incident of flytipping, you can help us take action by letting us know. Please call our Customer Contact Centre or use the "Report It" section of this website.

Graffiti

If you see graffiti on any public street, area or park you can report it to the Council who will remove it within three working days. Any graffiti that is racist or homophobic is always prioritised with an aim to get it removed within 24 hours. 

If someone is caught doing graffiti they can be prosecuted. 

What if my house or business has graffiti on it?

If you do have any graffiti on your property, whether private or business then we can remove it, but depending on the nature of the graffiti you could be charged.

How long does it take for my report to be acted on?

Usually as soon something is reported to us we will investigate it and deal with it accordingly.

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