A new CCTV van and extra wardens, introduced by North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor, are reducing environmental crime and anti-social behaviour.
Mayor Norma Redfearn CBE launched the additional service last month to make sure North Tyneside remains one of the cleanest and safest places to live in the country.
The team covers all areas of the borough and aims to tackle environmental offences – like dog fouling, littering and fly-tipping – and anti-social behaviour in public places.
They work from early in the morning until late at night, including weekends, to catch any perpetrators, as well as working in communities and schools to educate and advise.
Speaking about the new approach, North Tyneside Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn said: “North Tyneside is a great place to live, work and visit and remains one of the safest places to live in the country, and we intend to keep it that way.
“This council is one that works entirely for its residents and we listen and take any matters raised very seriously.
“These issues aren’t widespread, but where they do occur can have a big impact on residents. I pride myself on being a listening Mayor and I am committed to responding to the concerns of our communities, which is why I introduced this team.
“It’s encouraging that the extra wardens and the CCTV van are already making a difference across the borough.
“I am particularly keen for the team to work within the community and they have already been visiting local schools to tell them about their important work.”
The team’s successes so far includes identifying a suspected repeat fly-tipper and uncovering 14 areas being regularly used to fly-tip - these are now being monitored very closely.
The wardens have also stopped and advised 120 people about keeping their dogs on leads in designated areas and have issued several fixed penalty notices to people littering or not picking up after their dogs.
Six businesses have also been challenged about the way they dispose of their waste, with two of them subsequently fined £400 each for not acting on the team’s instructions.
Part of their role is to support Northumbria Police to deal with anti-social behaviour and they have already played a key role in tackling disorder at a local park.
The Mayor introduced the team with the full support of her cabinet and she has been working closely with them to implement the plans.
Cllr Carl Johnson, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport said: “We know tackling environmental crime and anti-social behaviour is a top priority for our residents. I would like to offer reassurance that we will not tolerate any such issues and those caught risk fines and prosecution.”
Cllr Carole Burdis, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, added: “Our Community Protection team works tirelessly to make sure North Tyneside is clean and safe and we are all pleased the van is having an impact and helping to reduce issues in the borough.”
The new wardens work within the Community Protection team. The team will continue to make full use of its powers to enforce anti-social behaviour legislation, which includes issuing those who break the law with community protection notices, fixed penalty notices, eviction orders and injunctions. This includes court orders that prevent people from entering areas of North Tyneside.
Report issues of anti-social behaviour or environmental offences here.
Find out about the Household Waste Recycling Centre here – which is a reuse, recycling and waste disposal facility in the borough.