The private firm District Enforcement will be providing us with supplementary Environmental Crime Enforcement from Monday 11th November 2024
District Enforcement will be working in partnership with our Enforcement Officers for the purpose of litter, dog fouling and fly-tipping enforcement.
If an offender wishes to make payment online they can do so at:
Payment by Telephone 0203 131 3801 (Credit/Debit card payments only, VISA, Mastercard, Switch, Delta only)
Payment by Cash: you can pay by cash at any Post Office or Payzone outlet. You will need to present the Fixed Penalty Notice containing the unique barcode.
Please note no payment will be taken at council offices, nor by telephone to the council.
If an offender wishes to make a complaint they can do so at:
Where do District Enforcement’s Environmental Enforcement Officers powers and authority come from?
The powers are delegated from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. District Enforcement Officers will enforce all legislation in accordance with the law and in line with the Council’s Enforcement Policy.
Are all District Enforcement’s Environmental Enforcement Officers vetted and do they undergo training?
Yes. All District Enforcement officers are screened and vetted. District Enforcement’s Enforcement Officers undergo a bespoke training package. Upon completion of this, they will be assigned to an experienced Training Officer who will ensure they are suitable prior to being signed off as Independent. All staff are routinely assigned to a Training Officer to ensure our expectations are being met.
Who decides what legislation District Enforcement’s Environmental Enforcement Officers enforce?
This is set out in the Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the Council. This is also signed off by both parties prior to any patrol.
Are District Enforcement Officers remunerated against the number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) they issue?
No. All District Enforcement Officers are paid an hourly rate and do not receive bonuses.
Are there any exemptions in relation to whom District Enforcement’s Environmental Enforcement Officers can issue an FPN to?
Yes. These exemptions are determined by the enforcement policy of the council and normally include members of the public with proven physical and mental disabilities. Additionally, this may include exemptions such as children and elderly members of the community.
Why do Environmental Enforcement Officers wear Body Worn Cameras and when are they operated?
These are used to protect the public and District Enforcement Officers from being subject to spurious complaints or intimidation by offenders seeking to avoid paying the penalty issued. The cameras are only switched on at the point the Officer introduces him/herself to the offender and it is explained why the camera is in operation. The camera is turned on during the conversation only, this can then either be served as evidence or unused material dependent upon the prosecution policy of the local authority.
Who has the final say in whether an individual is prosecuted?
The decision always lies with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
How can the public have confidence that District Enforcement’s Environmental Enforcement Officers always act responsibly?
District Enforcement’s Environmental Enforcement Officers are specialists in their field. They receive intensive introductory training and ongoing professional development to maintain the high standards required by the local authorities they serve. There is Body Worn Camera footage of every interaction between the Officers and members of the public. Any complaints against the Officers are handled in line with established procedures.
What are Fixed Penalty Notices?
The Litter (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 enables local authorities to issue an FPN to anyone they have reason to believe committed an offence of littering. An FPN gives an alleged offender the opportunity of discharging their liability from being prosecuted by paying the FPN. If an offender fails to avail of this opportunity then Council will progress the matter in the Magistrates Court, where, if prosecuted, the maximum fine for littering can be up to £2,500 and may be faced with a conviction. Similarly, for dog fouling offences The Fouling of Land by Dogs (Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon District Council) Order 2015 under the provisions of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (NI) 2011 enables an FPN to be served. Prosecution in court for this offence is subject to a maximum penalty of £1000. The Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 enables a penalty to be issued for fly-tipping (dumping) of Controlled Waste. The maximum fine for fly-tipping is £50,000.
How much is a Fixed Penalty Notice?
The amount is set by Council using the current guidelines for penalty notice levels and is currently as follows:
Litter £120
Dog Fouling £120
Fly-Tipping £400
There is no reduction for early payment
Can I appeal a Fixed Penalty Notice?
There are no formal grounds of appeal against the issuance of a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). This is because the FPN is simply an invitation to effectively cease any further proceedings taking place by way of paying the FPN. This means that while this is not an admission of guilt, you are agreeing that an offence has been committed and that by paying the sum requested for that particular offence, no further action will be taken by the council.
This method of dealing with these offences saves the time of all parties involved, it also ensures the offender does not have a fine imposed by the courts. As an example, the maximum fine which can be imposed for littering is £2,500.
But I don’t agree that I committed the offence for which I have received a Fixed Penalty Notice?
If you have received a Fixed Penalty Notice and do not agree that you have committed the offence, then the matter can be escalated through formal prosecution via the Courts. It will be at this point whereby the Court will decide, upon receiving all evidence (such as an Officer’s witness statement), determine whether or not an offence has in fact been committed and therefore whether a penalty should or should not be imposed.
This is where you can ‘appeal’ the Fixed Penalty Notice – however, please note the penalty at this point may be more than what was originally put before you with the FPN.
I don’t see why I should pay if there are no signs about littering or dog fouling in the area?
Offences relating to littering, dog fouling and fly-tipping matters are all offences. The Council is not required to place signs; nor are they required to put signs up advising people that patrols are within the area.
I didn’t know it was an offence, has the Council informed the public?
The Council will generally notify the public via media campaigns through various outlets; such as social media. However, the legal position on the matter is that ignorance to the offence is not an excuse.
Why should I pay a Fixed Penalty Notice when there were no litter or dog bins nearby at the time?
As with signage, it is not feasible for the council to put litter bins in every street, road and highway in the borough, though of course every effort is made to place bins where they are most needed and where there are the greatest levels of pedestrian footfall, such as in town centres and Parks and open spaces. Dog poo, once bagged can be placed in any litter bin in the borough. Where bins are not available then it is up to everyone to act responsibly and make arrangements to either take their litter home or carry it until a litter bin is available.
But cigarette butts aren’t really waste as they can’t be placed in litter bins because they will catch fire?
It is your responsibility to dispose of your litter accordingly; therefore it is your responsibility as a smoker to ensure that you completely extinguish your cigarette before placing them within a bin.
Cigarette waste is the same as any other waste in terms of litter laws and you can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice for not disposing of cigarette butts properly. Obviously, care should be taken to avoid any risk of fire and in particular cigarette ends should be completely extinguished before the butt is thrown into the bin. There is also no reason why smokers (who are well aware that their habit means that they will be faced with disposing of their cigarette waste) cannot carry portable ‘butt pouches’ with them.
But I wasn’t given a warning, surely that is not fair?
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council operates a zero tolerance policy in relation to litter, dog fouling and fly-tipping offences. Enforcement Officers do not give people warnings – the issuance of a Fixed Penalty Notice is a method for the offender to accept liability for the offence and make payment. This is to avoid the matter proceeding before the Magistrates Court.
I have limited funds and I will not be able to pay within 14 days what can I do?
You can contact us to discuss options, this can be done via www.noticepayments.co.uk/FPNRep/abc
Where do the Enforcement Officers patrol?
The Officers are tasked to areas of highest demand and will patrol wherever there is evidence of littering, fly-tipping and dog foul throughout the Borough.
What happens if I refuse to pay the fixed penalty?
Council will progress the matter to the Magistrates Court whereupon any successful conviction you will be prosecuted and fined for the offence.
