Councillor spends a day in the shoes of an enforcement officer

COUNCILLOR Jim Jones has been finding out what it is like to be in the shoes of an environmental enforcement officer.

The newly-appointed Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection has been out on patrol across Carmarthenshire.

He said he wanted to experience first-hand what the officers were dealing with on a daily basis in their bid clean up the county.

The new council administration has pledged to get even tougher on dog fouling and littering. Anyone caught failing to clean up after their dog or dropping litter will be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75. And if they don’t pay it, they will be prosecuted in court and face an even larger fine.

Cllr Jones said: “It was very interesting to go out on patrol with the officers. They have a lot of ground to cover – the whole of Carmarthenshire – but they know where the ‘hotspots’ are and target those areas accordingly.

“It’s all about being in the right place at the right time and that can be very difficult, they can’t be everywhere at once, which is why we need the help of the public to catch those responsible.

“Dog fouling is a serious health risk and litter spoils our enjoyment of the environment not to mention that it causes pollution and harm to wildlife.

“We live in a picturesque county with golden beaches, rolling countryside and historical market towns attracting thousands of visitors every year; we want to keep it that way.”

Cllr Jones has written to town and community councils asking for hotspots in their areas so that officers can target them with patrols.

Last year the council issued a total of 213 fixed penalty notices for littering and dog fouling.

Cllr Jones added: “The council is determined to clean up Carmarthenshire and we will not hesitate to fine anyone caught breaking the law in this way.”

Residents are being urged to help catch those responsible for dog fouling by reporting incidents to the council as part of a ‘Dog Watch’ scheme.

To report dog fouling please call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567 or complete the online form at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk

CAPTION: Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones and council environmental enforcement officers Michael Roberts and Paul Morris ask residents Richard and Janice Mayes from White Mill, Carmarthen, if they are concerned about litter and dog fouling.

Picture: Jeff Connell.