East Cambridgeshire District Council

Graffiti, abandoned vehicles and fly tipping can seriously blight an area which is why East Cambridgeshire District Council is looking at powers to stop small problems ruining a community.

The new Environmental Enforcement Strategy approved by Councillors last week looks at how best to tackle littering through education, encouragement and enforcement.

For those who don't understand they are actually committing an offence, officers will look using appropriate measures to intervene, however those who wilfully disregard the law will be fully investigated with the potential threat of court action.

Cllr Tony Parramint, Chairman of Environment and Transport Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "It is important we tackle issues such as fly tipping, abandoned vehicles and graffiti before they become a problem. Left unchecked, what seem like trivial issues can escalate, blighting areas and causing more fundamental problems for the local community. Our strategy aims to deal with issues quickly and effectively by working with local people and our partners to ensure we use the right response at the right time.

"We don't want to take a heavy handed approach unless there is no other alternative. We are lucky in our district that the problems we encounter aren't of the magnitude of some areas but it is important we deal with issues before they develop. East Cambridgeshire is a fantastic place to live, by working together we can keep it that way."

For more information contact the Council on 01353 665555 .

ENDS

Notes for editors

For further information contact Tony Taylorson in the Communications Team on 01223 699285.